indium

noun

in·​di·​um ˈin-dē-əm How to pronounce indium (audio)
: a silvery malleable fusible chiefly trivalent metallic element that occurs especially in sphalerite ores and is used especially as a plating material, in alloys, and in electronics see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of indium in a Sentence

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The increase is attributed to higher demand for indium phosphide (InP) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrates. — Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2025 That negates the need for TCOs incorporating rare and expensive materials like indium, and as such, brings down the cost of production. — New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2025 To do so, the group made a solution containing 3.3-nanometer-wide crystals of indium arsenide and either silver or copper atoms. — IEEE Spectrum, 5 Apr. 2011 The chip, detailed in a Nature paper, has eight topological qubits made from indium arsenide and aluminum. — Charlie Fink, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for indium

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary ind- + New Latin -ium

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of indium was in 1864

Phrases Containing indium

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“Indium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indium. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

indium

noun
in·​di·​um ˈin-dē-əm How to pronounce indium (audio)
: a soft silvery metallic element see element

Medical Definition

indium

noun
in·​di·​um ˈin-dē-əm How to pronounce indium (audio)
: a malleable fusible silvery metallic element that is chiefly trivalent, occurs especially in sphalerite ores, and is used as a plating for bearings, in alloys having a low melting point, and in making transistors
—symbol In see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on indium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about indium

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