radiocarbon

American  

[rey-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

Example Sentences

These included DNA analysis to study genetic relationships, radiocarbon dating to determine the age of the remains, and isotopic measurements to identify where the individuals likely lived before death.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

The team measured how much of each material was present and used radiocarbon and lead dating to determine when the layers formed.

From Science Daily • Jan. 14, 2026

Scientists' latest discovery is based on DNA analysis of the skeleton, which has been radiocarbon dated to between 129 and 311 AD.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

Under the supervision of museum teams, they collected samples from several objects for radiocarbon dating.

From Science Daily • Dec. 7, 2025

Are the reported radiocarbon dates really correct, and not invalidated by any of the numerous difficulties that can plague radiocarbon dating?

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond