mercury
noun
mer·cu·ry
ˈmər-kyə-rē 
-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
Most have suction strengths between the high 200s and 350 mmHg (mmHg means millimeters of mercury, which is the standard unit for measuring vacuum pressure).
—
Simone Scully, Parents, 16 Apr. 2024
Their biggest targets are mercury and lead contamination.
—Simeon Tegel, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mercury 
Simone Scully, Parents, 16 Apr. 2024
Their biggest targets are mercury and lead contamination.
—Simeon Tegel, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mercury
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mercury.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mercury
noun
mer·cu·ry
ˈmər-kyə-rē
-k(ə-)rē
Medical Definition
mercury
noun
mer·cu·ry
ˈmər-kyə-rē, -k(ə-)rē
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share