nuclide

American  

[noo-klahyd, nyoo-] / ˈnu klaɪd, ˈnyu- /

noun

Physics.

1. an atomic species in which the atoms all have the same atomic number and mass number.

2. an individual atom in such a species.

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nuclide British  

/ ˈnjuːklaɪd /

noun

1. a species of atom characterized by its atomic number and its mass number See also isotope

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nuclide Scientific  

/ no̅o̅′klīd′ /

1. An atomic nucleus identified by its atomic element and its mass number. For example, a carbon-14 nuclide is the nucleus of a carbon atom, which has six protons, with mass number 14 (thus having eight neutrons).

2. See also isotope

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Etymology

Origin of nuclide

1945–50; nucl(eo)- + -ide < Greek eîdos shape

Example Sentences

Along this pathway across the nuclide chart, a common sequence involves beta decay of the parent nucleus followed by the release of two neutrons.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

This large-scale collaboration combined field surveys, marine sediment studies, cosmogenic nuclide dating, and advanced coupled climate-ocean modeling to reconstruct how the Antarctic ice-ocean system evolved.

From Science Daily • Nov. 9, 2025

Critics questioned that age estimate, and scientists revised the date to at least 900,000 years old after using a complex technique called cosmogenic nuclide dating.

From Washington Post • Dec. 5, 2022

In the following four problems, identify the parent nuclide and write the complete decay equation in the A XN notation.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

A favorite isotope in physics labs, since it has a short half-life and decays to a stable nuclide.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015