argon

UK: /ˈɑː^rgɒn/ US: /ˈɑrgɑn/ ,(är′gon)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ar•gon /ˈɑrgɑn/   n. [uncountable]

1. Chemistry a colorless, odorless, inactive gas used in light bulbs.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ar•gon  (är′gon), n. [Chem.]

1. Chemistry a colorless, odorless, chemically inactive, monatomic, gaseous element that, because of its inertness, is used for filling fluorescent and incandescent lamps and vacuum tubes. Symbol: Ar;
   at. no.: 18;
   at. wt.: 39.948.

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

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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

Etymology: 19th Century: from Greek, from argos idle, inactive, from a-¹ + ergon work