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
Examples of isotope in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Radiopharmaceuticals use radioactive isotopes to target specific tissues.
—
Stephen Belcher, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
And based on an unusual isotope signature in their composition, O’Neil believes the rocks at Nuvvuagittuq are older.
—Byrachel Berkowitz, science.org, 6 Feb. 2025
The team conducted additional radiocarbon and stable isotope tests to determine whether the food buried in the cache pit was from the land or the sea.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
Decker Eveleth, analyst with the U.S.-based CNA Corporation, told Reuters that the Chinese research center has four laser bays and an experiment bay that accommodates a target chamber where lasers will fuse hydrogen isotopes together, a satellite image showed.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for isotope
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Stephen Belcher, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
And based on an unusual isotope signature in their composition, O’Neil believes the rocks at Nuvvuagittuq are older.
—Byrachel Berkowitz, science.org, 6 Feb. 2025
The team conducted additional radiocarbon and stable isotope tests to determine whether the food buried in the cache pit was from the land or the sea.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
Decker Eveleth, analyst with the U.S.-based CNA Corporation, told Reuters that the Chinese research center has four laser bays and an experiment bay that accommodates a target chamber where lasers will fuse hydrogen isotopes together, a satellite image showed.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for isotope
Cite this Entry
“Isotope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isotope. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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