argon

noun

ar·​gon ˈär-ˌgän How to pronounce argon (audio)
: a colorless odorless inert gaseous element found in the air and in volcanic gases and used especially in welding, lasers, and electric bulbs see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of argon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Peering into the heart of the debris left behind by the star’s demise, astronomers led by Claes Fransson of Stockholm University in Sweden spied hints of ionized argon and sulfur—that is, evidence of elements that were so shocked by some external force that their electrons had been stripped away. Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024 This set comes with the wine preserver opener and two capsules filled with ultra-pure argon gas, which is what goes into the bottle when the wine comes out. Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2024 Georgia Tech Researchers Create First Functional Graphene Semiconductor This heating step is done with an argon quartz tube in which a stack of two SiC chips are placed in a graphite crucible, according to de Heer. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Jan. 2024 Other accessories included with the Timeless Six are three argon capsules, textured fabric carry case, needle clearing tool, an aerator to bring out the best in your wine, and a bottle sleeve that will ensure that even the most fragile bottle remains intact when pressurized with argon. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2023 The Midas comes in a lightweight magnesium body and travels well, while argon purging—a type of gas in each binocular barrel that prevents fungal build-up—helps prevent water and fog from clogging the chamber. Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 5 June 2023 For a cleaner weld, use 75 percent CO2 and 25 percent argon. Mike Allen, Popular Mechanics, 18 Oct. 2020 The Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) in Illinois will shoot the particles through 1300 kilometers of rock to the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) in South Dakota, a detector filled with 40,000 tons of frigid liquid argon. Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, 2 Oct. 2020 The electricity is also used to separate air, yielding nitrogen (as well as oxygen and some argon and carbon dioxide). IEEE Spectrum, 23 Feb. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'argon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek, neuter of argos idle, lazy, from a- + ergon work; from its relative inertness — more at work

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of argon was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near argon

Cite this Entry

“Argon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/argon. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

argon

noun
ar·​gon ˈär-ˌgän How to pronounce argon (audio)
: a colorless odorless element that is a gas found in the air and in volcanic gases and used especially in electric bulbs see element

Medical Definition

argon

noun
ar·​gon ˈär-ˌgän How to pronounce argon (audio)
: a colorless odorless inert gaseous element found in the air and in volcanic gases and used especially in lasers and electric bulbs
symbol Ar
see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on argon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!