neon

[ nee-on ]
See synonyms for neon on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Chemistry. a chemically inert gaseous element occurring in small amounts in the earth's atmosphere, used chiefly in a type of electrical lamp. Symbol: Ne; atomic weight: 20.183; atomic number: 10; density: 0.9002 grams/liter at 0°C and 760 millimeters pressure.

  1. a sign or advertising sign formed from neon lamps.

adjective
  1. using or containing the gas neon.

  2. made of or formed by a neon lamp or lamps: a neon sign.

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a tawdry urban district or of gaudy nighttime entertainment.

Origin of neon

1
First recorded in 1895–1900; from New Latin, from Greek néon “new, recent” (neuter of néos ); see -on1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for neon

neon

/ (ˈniːɒn) /


noun
  1. a colourless odourless rare gaseous element, an inert gas occurring in trace amounts in the atmosphere: used in illuminated signs and lights. Symbol: Ne; atomic no: 10; atomic wt: 20.1797; valency: 0; density: 0.899 90 kg/m³; melting pt: –248.59°C; boiling pt: –246.08°C

  2. (modifier) of or illuminated by neon or neon lamps: neon sign

Origin of neon

1
C19: via New Latin from Greek neon new

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for neon

neon

[ ŏn′ ]


Ne
  1. A rare colorless element in the noble gas group that occurs naturally in extremely small amounts in the atmosphere. It glows reddish orange when electricity passes through it, as in a tube in an electric neon light. Neon is also used for refrigeration. Atomic number 10; atomic weight 20.180; melting point -248.67°C; boiling point -245.95°C. See Periodic Table.

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