argon

[ ahr-gon ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, odorless, chemically inactive, monatomic, gaseous element that, because of its inertness, is used for filling fluorescent and incandescent lamps and vacuum tubes. : Ar; : 18; : 39.948.

argon

/ ˈɑːɡɒn /

noun

1. an extremely unreactive colourless odourless element of the rare gas series that forms almost 1 per cent (by volume) of the atmosphere. It is used in electric lights. Symbol: Ar; atomic no: 18; atomic wt: 39.948; density: 1.7837 kg/m³; freezing pt: –189.3°C; boiling pt: –185.9°C

argon

/ är′gŏn′ /

1. A colorless, odorless element in the noble gas group. Argon makes up about one percent of the atmosphere. It is used in electric light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, and radio vacuum tubes. Atomic number 18; atomic weight 39.948; melting point −189.2°C; boiling point −185.7°C.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of argon¹

1890–95; < Greek, neuter of argós inactive, not working, idle, contraction of aergós equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + érg ( on ) work + -os adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of argon¹

C19: from Greek, from argos idle, inactive, from a- ¹+ ergon work

Example Sentences

If you want to level up from the classic topper you received as a holiday gift, Herwaldt swears by the Repour Wine Saver, which introduces argon into the open bottle.

From Popular-Science

The ultracold temps would have made nitrogen, argon, krypton and xenon freeze solid.

From Science News For Students

Some of the most advanced modern detectors trace their lineage back to multiwire proportional chambers, such as liquid argon time projection chambers.

From Science News

The frosty temperature made nitrogen, argon, krypton and xenon freeze solid and become a greater part of the planet, the scientists suggest in a study in the July Astronomy & Astrophysics.

From Science News

This same phenomenon is at work in neon signs, which are tubes of gases such as neon, helium and argon.

From Washington Post

The atmosphere of the earth is composed mainly of very volatile elements, known as nitrogen and argon.

From Project Gutenberg

(Beilage), pp. 33-43, entitled Professor Grtz un' der jdischer argon, oder Wer mit ws darf sich schmen?

From Project Gutenberg

Argon, ar′gon, n. a constituent element of our atmosphere, discovered in 1894 by Rayleigh and Ramsay.

From Project Gutenberg

They soon succeeded in isolating this denser gas, to which they gave the name of argon.

From Project Gutenberg

It combines directly with nitrogen, when heated in the gas, to form the nitride Mg3N2 (see Argon).

From Project Gutenberg