radioisotope

[rey-dee-oh-ahy-suh-tohp]

noun

1. a radioactive isotope, usually artificially produced: used in physical and biological research, therapeutics, etc.

radioisotope

/ ˌreɪdɪəʊˈaɪsətəʊp, ˌreɪdɪəʊˌaɪsəˈtɒpɪk /

noun

1. an isotope that is radioactive

radioisotope

1. A radioactive isotope of a chemical element. Carbon 14 and radon 222 are examples of naturally occurring radioactive isotopes.

Other Word Forms

• radioisotopic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of radioisotope¹

First recorded in 1940–45; radio- + isotope

Example Sentences

This method originated in Germany and involves attaching various radioisotopes to molecules that target specific tumors.

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Doctors use so-called radioisotopes to pinpoint the growth of cancer in patients.

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Less dramatically, everyday operations of nuclear reactors, mining and processing of uranium into fuel rods, and the disposal of spent nuclear fuel also require monitoring of radioisotope release.

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In 1969, a group of South Asian women in Coventry were given chapatis containing a radioisotope.

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The probes use three plutonium dioxide radioisotope thermoelectric generators.

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