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 thrusters, and if too much helium is lost, the thrusters may not work properly.

From New York Times • May 24, 2024

Edison’s first practical light bulb used a carbonized cotton thread for that purpose; modern bulbs use tungsten filaments in an inert gas.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 2, 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