xenon

American  

[zee-non, zen-on] / ˈzi nɒn, ˈzɛn ɒn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a heavy, colorless, chemically inactive, monatomic gaseous element used for filling radio, television, and luminescent tubes. Xe; 131.30; 54.

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xenon British  

/ ˈzɛnɒn /

noun

1. a colourless odourless gaseous element occurring in trace amounts in air; formerly considered inert it is now known to form compounds and is used in radio valves, stroboscopic and bactericidal lamps, and bubble chambers. Symbol: Xe; atomic no: 54; atomic wt: 131.29; valency: 0; density: 5.887 kg/m³; melting pt: –111.76°C; boiling pt: –108.0°C

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xenon Scientific  

/ zē′nŏn′ /

1. A colorless, odorless element in the noble gas group occurring in extremely small amounts in the atmosphere. It was the first noble gas found to form compounds with other elements. Xenon is used in lamps that make intense flashes, such as strobe lights and flashbulbs for photography. Atomic number 54; atomic weight 131.29; melting point −111.9°C; boiling point −107.1°C; density (gas) 5.887 grams per liter; specific gravity (liquid) 3.52 (−109°C).

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of xenon

1898; < Greek xénon, neuter of xénos strange ( -on ² ); name introduced by William Ramsay, the element's discoverer

Example Sentences

Some in the mountaineering industry have cautioned against the use of xenon gas.

From BBC • May 21, 2025

One mile beneath a mountain in Italy, scientists at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory fill a particle detector with liquid xenon, hoping to observe evidence of dark matter.

From Salon • Dec. 26, 2024

Recently, scientists have begun to investigate the possibility that charged xenon particles were removed from the atmosphere by the magnetic field.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024

The spacecraft relies on solar electric propulsion, using xenon gas-fed thrusters and their gentle blue-glowing pulses.

From Washington Times • Oct. 13, 2023

Tanya’s’s got the only xenon disco laser light in Europe!

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell