radioisotope

American  

[rey-dee-oh-ahy-suh-tohp] / ˌreɪ di oʊˈaɪ səˌtoʊp /

noun

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

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radioisotope British  

/ ˌreɪdɪəʊˈaɪsətəʊp, ˌreɪdɪəʊˌaɪsəˈtɒpɪk /

noun

1. an isotope that is radioactive

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radioisotope Scientific  

/ rā′dē-ō-ī′sə-tōp′ /

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

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Other Word Forms

• radioisotopic adjective

Etymology

Origin of radioisotope

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.

From Science Daily

Every year, radiologists scan about 300,000 patients using these radioactive radioisotopes, with consultants saying they would not be able to do their work without them.

From BBC

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.

From Science Daily

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

From BBC

The probes use three plutonium dioxide radioisotope thermoelectric generators.

From Salon