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

"When radiocarbon values approach the limit of calibration, it is essential not to assign more precision than the data can actually support. In such cases, the comparison between archaeology, radiocarbon dating, and genetics becomes crucial."

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 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

Kidder and his team in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis returned to Poverty Point and several nearby locations to collect new radiocarbon dates and reevaluate the archaeological evidence.

From Science Daily • Nov. 24, 2025

He had enough grant money to pay for seven radiocarbon dates.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann