indium

noun

in·​di·​um ˈin-dē-əm How to pronounce indium (audio)
: a silvery malleable fusible chiefly trivalent metallic element that occurs especially in sphalerite ores and is used especially as a plating material, in alloys, and in electronics see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of indium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The solar cell uses a perovskite layer on top and a CIGS (copper, indium, gallium, and selenium) solar cell underneath. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026 For optical networking, the primary constraint is indium phosphide, a specialty semiconductor that’s used to make the lasers that generate the light and the detectors that detect the light on either end of the fiber optic cable. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 24 July 2026 The electrons are transferred into the underlying transistor channel, which is made of indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO). — Tereza Pultarova, IEEE Spectrum, 7 July 2026 Among its discoveries are a massive underground trove of nickel and palladium on Australia’s east coast, and a deposit of indium, a rare-earth metal critical for AI semiconductors, also in Australia. — New Atlas, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for indium

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary ind- + New Latin -ium

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of indium was in 1864

Phrases Containing indium

Browse Nearby Words

inditement
indium
indium antimonide
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indium. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

indium

noun
in·​di·​um ˈin-dē-əm How to pronounce indium (audio)
: a soft silvery metallic element see element

Medical Definition

indium

noun
in·​di·​um ˈin-dē-əm How to pronounce indium (audio)
: a malleable fusible silvery metallic element that is chiefly trivalent, occurs especially in sphalerite ores, and is used as a plating for bearings, in alloys having a low melting point, and in making transistors
—symbol In see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on indium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about indium

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