radiocarbon

[ rey-dee-oh-kahr-buhn ]

/ ˌreɪ di oʊˈkɑr bən /

Save This Word!

noun Chemistry.

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.

any radioactive isotope of carbon.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of radiocarbon

First recorded in 1935–40; radio- + carbon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use radiocarbon in a sentence

Charles “Father” Coughlin, a raving anti-Semite, was one of the most popular radio hosts in the country.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
During coverage of that issue, Farrell went on a WSMB AM radio talk show to defend Duke.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Speaking to a local radio station today Antonella Ramelli said the video gives her hope.
Jihadis Release New Year’s Eve Video of Italian Female Hostages|Jamie Dettmer, Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yet another video catches the sounds of the gunshots and shows Brinsley standing by the parked radio car.
Exclusive: Inside a Cop-Killer’s Final Hours|Michael Daly|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

However, an article designed to act as a tie-in to the piece has been published as planned in the BBC magazine Radio Times.
Pulled Documentary Says William Felt ‘Used’ by Charles’ Push for Camilla|Tom Sykes|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What are a few paltry, lumps of crystallised carbon compared to a galaxy of a million million suns?
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
I am going to get a book about it, and that will tell us just what to do in getting a radio set established.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
Jessie had noted down the things she thought it would be safe to order before speaking to her father about the radio matter.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
That afternoon Mr. Norwood brought home the radio receiving set in the automobile.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
The carbon dioxid evolved distends the stomach, and its outline can easily be determined by percussion.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd

British Dictionary definitions for radiocarbon

radiocarbon

/ (ˌreɪdɪəʊˈkɑːbən) /

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for radiocarbon

radiocarbon

[ rā′dē-ō-kär′bən ]

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