radiocarbon

American  

[ray-dee-oh-kahr-buhn] / ˌreɪ di oʊˈkɑr bən /

noun

Chemistry.

1. Also called carbon 14. a radioactive isotope of carbon with mass number 14 and a half-life of about 5730 years: widely used in the dating of organic materials.

2. any radioactive isotope of carbon.

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radiocarbon British  

/ ˌreɪdɪəʊˈkɑːbən /

noun

1. a radioactive isotope of carbon, esp carbon-14 See carbon

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radiocarbon Scientific  

/ rā′dē-ō-kär′bən /

1. A radioactive isotope of carbon, especially carbon 14. Other radiocarbons include carbon 10, carbon 11, carbon 15, and carbon 16.

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Etymology

Origin of radiocarbon

First recorded in 1935–40; radio- + carbon

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

radiocarbon

When the Sun becomes more active, its magnetic influence generally reduces the number of cosmic rays that reach Earth, affecting radiocarbon production.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

This interpretation agrees with earlier solar activity reconstructions derived from radiocarbon measurements in tree rings, although the uncertainty surrounding the historical corona description means it cannot be considered definitive proof.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

Scientists have previously reconstructed ancient solar cycles by studying radiocarbon preserved in tree rings.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

By measuring changes in radiocarbon concentrations across successive tree rings, scientists can reconstruct how solar activity varied long before modern instruments existed.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

According to radiocarbon tests, the Norte Chico gourd was harvested between 2280 and 2180 b.c.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

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