isotope

noun

iso·​tope ˈī-sə-ˌtōp 

1

: any of two or more species of atoms of a chemical element with the same atomic number and nearly identical chemical behavior but with differing atomic mass or mass number and different physical properties

2

: nuclide

isotopic

ˌī-sə-ˈtä-pik  -ˈtō- 

adjective

isotopically

ˌī-sə-ˈtä-pi-k(ə-)lē  -ˈtō- 

adverb

Examples of isotope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The scarcity of specific isotopes adds complexity, making strategic sourcing and management imperative. —Stephen Belcher, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

By measuring the distribution of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the child’s tissues, the study authors then compared the profile to other animals that roamed during that time. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024

Apologies to the Lois Lane stans out there, but Adams is mostly on hand in these movies to deliver stern gobbledygook (something about isotopes?) and stare at Henry Cavill’s cheekbones. —Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024

Some isotopes are stable, while others are radioactive and decay over time, emitting radiation. —Jess Thomson, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

is- + Greek topos place

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

isotope

noun

iso·​tope ˈī-sə-ˌtōp 

: any of the forms of an element that differ in the number of neutrons in an atom

isotopic

ˌī-sə-ˈtäp-ik 

-ˈtō-pik

adjective

isotopically

-ˈtäp-i-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈtō-pi-

adverb

Medical Definition

isotope

noun

iso·​tope ˈī-sə-ˌtōp 

1

: any of two or more species of atoms of a chemical element with the same atomic number and position in the periodic table and nearly identical chemical behavior but with differing atomic mass or mass number and different physical properties

2

: nuclide

isotopic

ˌī-sə-ˈtäp-ik  -ˈtō-pik 

adjective

isotopically

-ˈtäp-i-k(ə-)lē  -ˈtō-pi- 

adverb

isotopy

ˈī-sə-ˌtō-pē  ī-ˈsät-ə-pē 

noun

plural isotopies