Synonyms

radioactivate

American

[rey-dee-oh-ak-tuh-veyt] / ˌreɪ di oʊˈæk təˌveɪt /

verb (used with object)

Physics.

radioactivated, radioactivating

to make (a substance) radioactive.

radioactivate British

/ ˌreɪdɪəʊˈæktɪˌveɪt /

verb

(tr) to make radioactive

"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

Other Word Forms

radioactivation noun

Etymology

Origin of radioactivate

First recorded in 1900–05; radioactive + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If there is any dispute," says Griffon proudly, "we can radioactivate the hair again.

From Time Magazine Archive

An atomic minefield would be an effective obstacle to the movement of ground forces, would destroy men and vehicles near the explosion, might radioactivate and make impassable a wide strip of important territory.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023