mercury
noun
mer·cu·ry
Ë?mÉ™r-kyÉ™-rÄ“ 
-k(ə-)rē
plural mercuries
1
a
capitalized
: a Roman god of commerce, eloquence, travel, cunning, and theft who serves as messenger to the other gods compare hermes
b
often capitalized archaic
: a bearer of messages or news or a conductor of travelers
2
[Middle English mercurie, from Medieval Latin mercurius, from Latin, the god]
a
: a silver-white poisonous heavy metallic element that is liquid at ordinary temperatures and is used especially in batteries, in dental amalgam, and in scientific instruments
called also quicksilver
see Chemical Elements Table
b
: the column of mercury in a thermometer or barometer
3
capitalized
: the planet nearest the sun see Planets Table
Examples of mercury in a Sentence
In the summer, the mercury can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Recent Examples on the Web
Excessive consumption can lead to mercury poisoning, which may cause severe or even life-threatening health complications.
—
George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
And groups like the Environmental Integrity Project and the Sierra Club have denounced it as a leading polluter of mercury among Texas power plants and expressed concern that two coal ash ponds are causing chemicals to seep into groundwater in the area.
—Juan Salinas Ii, Austin American-Statesman, 27 Dec. 2024
The analysis detected elements such as nickel, copper, zinc, tin, mercury, gold, lead and a big surprise: tungsten, which hadn’t even been described at the time.
—Cnn, The Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2024
Making small swaps like using a deep burgundy ribbon instead of a bright red one on wreaths or adding black ornaments to a collection of mercury glass baubles is a simple (but impactful) way to put a moody spin on you Christmas decorating this season.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mercury 
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George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
And groups like the Environmental Integrity Project and the Sierra Club have denounced it as a leading polluter of mercury among Texas power plants and expressed concern that two coal ash ponds are causing chemicals to seep into groundwater in the area.
—Juan Salinas Ii, Austin American-Statesman, 27 Dec. 2024
The analysis detected elements such as nickel, copper, zinc, tin, mercury, gold, lead and a big surprise: tungsten, which hadn’t even been described at the time.
—Cnn, The Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2024
Making small swaps like using a deep burgundy ribbon instead of a bright red one on wreaths or adding black ornaments to a collection of mercury glass baubles is a simple (but impactful) way to put a moody spin on you Christmas decorating this season.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mercury
Articles Related to mercury
Dictionary Entries Near mercury
Cite this Entry
“Mercury.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercury. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mercury
noun
mer·cu·ry
Ë?mÉ™r-kyÉ™-rÄ“
-k(ə-)rē
Medical Definition
mercury
noun
mer·cu·ry
Ë?mÉ™r-kyÉ™-rÄ“, -k(É™-)rÄ“
plural mercuries
1
: a heavy silver-white poisonous metallic element that is liquid at ordinary temperatures and used especially in scientific instruments
—symbol Hg
called also quicksilver
see Chemical Elements Table2
: a pharmaceutical preparation containing mercury or a compound of it
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