inert gas

noun

, Chemistry.

1. noble gas.

inert gas

noun

1. Also callednoble gasrare gasargonon any of the unreactive gaseous elements helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon
2. (loosely) any gas, such as carbon dioxide, that is nonoxidizing

inert gas

1. See noble gas

Word History and Origins

Origin of inert gas¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Helium, an inert gas, is used to push propellants to the spacecraft’s thrusters.

From New York Times

Helium, an inert gas, is used to push propellants to the thrusters, and if too much helium is lost, the thrusters may not work properly.

From New York Times

Edison’s first practical light bulb used a carbonized cotton thread for that purpose; modern bulbs use tungsten filaments in an inert gas.

From Seattle Times

On a functioning oil tanker, inert gasses are periodically pumped into its tanks to keep the payload from catching fire or exploding.

From Salon

It secured tens of millions of dollars in pledges for the operation, which started late in May with experts pumping inert gas to remove atmospheric oxygen from the oil chambers of the vessel.

From Seattle Times