noun
xenon
ZEE-non
Xenon (noun) means a colorless, odorless noble gas (chemical symbol Xe, atomic number 54) used in things like camera flashes and certain lamps. Example: “The car's headlights use xenon bulbs for a brighter, whiter light.”
noun
1
A colorless, odorless noble gas (chemical symbol Xe, atomic number 54) used in things like camera flashes and certain lamps.
"The car's headlights use xenon bulbs for a brighter, whiter light."
How to use xenon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rare, unreactive gas found in tiny amounts in the air, used in bright lighting and some medical imaging.
Common pairings
xenon gas
xenon headlights
xenon lamp
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like xenon.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- xenons
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The car's headlights use _____ bulbs for a brighter, whiter light.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek xénos, "strange, foreign," plus the "-on" ending used for noble gases — so named because it is rare and unreactive.
Synonyms
View more →
Xe
atomic number 54
Related words
Rhymes for xenon
See all rhymes for xenon →Frequently asked questions
What does “xenon” mean?
The word “xenon” means a colorless, odorless noble gas (chemical symbol Xe, atomic number 54) used in things like camera flashes and certain lamps. In plain terms, a rare, unreactive gas found in tiny amounts in the air, used in bright lighting and some medical imaging.
How do you pronounce “xenon”?
“Xenon” is pronounced ZEE-non (/ˈzinɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “xenon” in a sentence?
Here is “xenon” used in a sentence: “The car's headlights use xenon bulbs for a brighter, whiter light.”
What part of speech is “xenon”?
“Xenon” is a noun.
Where does the word “xenon” come from?
The word “xenon” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek xénos, "strange, foreign," plus the "-on" ending used for noble gases — so named because it is rare and unreactive.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include xenon:
