inert gas

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. noble gas.

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inert gas British  

noun

1. Also called: noble gas.   rare gas.   argonon.  any of the unreactive gaseous elements helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon

2. (loosely) any gas, such as carbon dioxide, that is nonoxidizing

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inert gas Scientific  

1. See noble gas

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Etymology

Origin of inert gas

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Helium, an inert gas, is used to push propellants to the spacecraft’s thrusters.

From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2024

It secured tens of millions of dollars in pledges for the operation, which started late in May with experts pumping inert gas to remove atmospheric oxygen from the oil chambers of the vessel.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 13, 2023

In such chemistry-based techniques, the gas molecules to be analyzed are separated by an inert gas, broken down into fragments and then measured.

From Scientific American • May 12, 2023

To get a superconductor, the researchers use a pressurized stream of inert gas to drive the diamonds together, generating a force amplified manyfold at their tips.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 26, 2021

“Look at me, and tell me that symbol of the first inert gas, helium.”

From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt