mercury
noun
mer·cu·ry
ˈmər-kyə-rē 
-k(ə-)rē
plural mercuries
1
a
capitalized
: a Roman god of commerce, eloquence, travel, cunning, and theft who serves as messenger to the other gods compare hermes
b
often capitalized archaic
: a bearer of messages or news or a conductor of travelers
2
[Middle English mercurie, from Medieval Latin mercurius, from Latin, the god]
a
: a silver-white poisonous heavy metallic element that is liquid at ordinary temperatures and is used especially in batteries, in dental amalgam, and in scientific instruments
called also quicksilver
see Chemical Elements Table
b
: the column of mercury in a thermometer or barometer
3
capitalized
: the planet nearest the sun see Planets Table
Examples of mercury in a Sentence
In the summer, the mercury can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Recent Examples on the Web
Coal ash is a sooty confetti of toxins: arsenic, mercury, silica, radium.
—
Jared Sullivan, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
What's next: Daytime temperatures will dip into more normal ranges later this week, with the mercury dropping to the 50s.
—Torey Van Oot, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
Dweck recommends caution and limiting consumption of those high mercury fish in particular to 8-12 ounces or less per week.
—Ronnie Koenig, Parents, 25 Oct. 2024
These mercury glass trees from Better Homes & Gardens can be placed over an electric votive candle to emit a soft glow in any space.
—Shea Simmons, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mercury 
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Jared Sullivan, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
What's next: Daytime temperatures will dip into more normal ranges later this week, with the mercury dropping to the 50s.
—Torey Van Oot, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
Dweck recommends caution and limiting consumption of those high mercury fish in particular to 8-12 ounces or less per week.
—Ronnie Koenig, Parents, 25 Oct. 2024
These mercury glass trees from Better Homes & Gardens can be placed over an electric votive candle to emit a soft glow in any space.
—Shea Simmons, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mercury
Articles Related to mercury
Dictionary Entries Near mercury
Cite this Entry
“Mercury.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercury. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mercury
noun
mer·cu·ry
ˈmər-kyə-rē
-k(ə-)rē
Medical Definition
mercury
noun
mer·cu·ry
ˈmər-kyə-rē, -k(ə-)rē
plural mercuries
1
: a heavy silver-white poisonous metallic element that is liquid at ordinary temperatures and used especially in scientific instruments
—symbol Hg
called also quicksilver
see Chemical Elements Table2
: a pharmaceutical preparation containing mercury or a compound of it
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