krypton

noun

kryp·​ton ˈkrip-ˌtän How to pronounce krypton (audio)
: a colorless relatively inert gaseous element found in air in trace amounts and used especially in electric lamps see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of krypton in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In 1898, two British chemists by the names of Sir William Ramsay and Morris William Travers were credited for discovering the four gases that would eventually be used to create neon signs: neon, krypton, xenon and argon. Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2020 In the moon's vacuum, atoms of noble gases such as argon and krypton will be captured in the aluminum. James R. Berry, Popular Mechanics, 19 July 2019 Mercury is much heavier than either xenon or krypton, so spacecraft carrying them would be able to generate more thrust. Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, 20 Nov. 2018 But Hahn and Strassmann knew nothing about krypton. Jeremy Bernstein, WSJ, 15 Dec. 2017 The new model suggests our home planet contains significantly more sodium, potassium, chlorine, zinc, strontium, fluorine, gallium, rubidium, niobium, gadolinium, tantalum, helium, argon, and krypton than previously believed. Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, 18 Sep. 2017 Alas, the fuddy-duddies of international mineral nomenclature insist that, since the stone doesn’t actually contain the real-world element krypton, it can’t be officially called kryptonite. Brandon Keim, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2007

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'krypton.' 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 kryptos hidden — more at crypt

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of krypton was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near krypton

Cite this Entry

“Krypton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/krypton. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

krypton

noun
kryp·​ton ˈkrip-ˌtän How to pronounce krypton (audio)
: a colorless gaseous element found in air and used especially in electric lamps see element

Medical Definition

krypton

noun
kryp·​ton ˈkrip-ˌtän How to pronounce krypton (audio)
: a colorless relatively inert gaseous element found in air at about one part per million
symbol Kr
see Chemical Elements Table

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