cadmium

American  

[kad-mee-uhm] / ˈkæd mi əm /

noun

1. a white, ductile divalent metallic element resembling tin, used in plating and in making certain alloys. Cd; 112.41; 48; 8.6 at 20°C.

---

cadmium British  

/ ˈkædmɪəm /

noun

1. a malleable ductile toxic bluish-white metallic element that occurs in association with zinc ores. It is used in electroplating, alloys, and as a neutron absorber in the control of nuclear fission. Symbol: Cd; atomic no: 48; atomic wt: 112.411; valency: 2; relative density: 8.65; melting pt: 321.1°C; boiling pt: 767°C

---

cadmium Scientific  

/ kăd′mē-əm /

1. A rare, soft, bluish-white metallic element that occurs mainly in zinc, copper, and lead ores. Cadmium is plated onto other metals and alloys to prevent corrosion, and it is used in rechargeable batteries and in nuclear control rods as a neutron absorber. Atomic number 48; atomic weight 112.41; melting point 320.9°C; boiling point 765°C; specific gravity 8.65; valence 2.

2. See Periodic Table

---

Other Word Forms

• cadmic adjective

Etymology

Origin of cadmium

1815–25; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin cadm ( īa ) calamine (originally Cadmēa terra < Greek Kadmeía gê Cadmean earth) + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

"We found cadmium, cobalt, copper, zinc, and nickel," she explained.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Elevated lead levels were the primary driver, and cadmium concentrations in bananas also surpassed FAO recommendations.

From Science Daily • Feb. 17, 2026

A necklace sold on Shein had 8,500 times the legal limit of cadmium, a toxic metal, they found.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

It is a probable human carcinogen, with some studies finding lung cancer in workers exposed to cadmium in the air.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2025

If the reaction got out of control, they were to dump the cadmium on the pile—then get out fast.

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin