# selenium

> English word · Noun · IPA /sɪˈliːni.əm/ · frequency rank #32,174

## Definitions
1. A nonmetallic chemical element (symbol Se) with an atomic number of 34, used mainly in glassmaking and pigments and as a semiconductor.
2. A single atom of this element.

## Etymology
From French sélénium, the name coined by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1818 from Ancient Greek σελήνη (selḗnē, “moon”) in reference to original confusion with the similar element tellurium.

## Common misspellings (11)
`eslenium`, `seelnium`, `seleinum`, `selenimu`, `seleniumm`, `selennium`, `selenuim`, `sellenium`, `selneium`, `sleenium`, `sselenium`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/selenium