radon

[ rey-don ]

/ ˈreɪ dɒn /

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noun Chemistry.

a chemically inert, radioactive gaseous element produced by the decay of radium: emissions produced by outgassing of rock, brick, etc. are a health hazard. Symbol: Rn; atomic number: 86; atomic weight: 222.

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Origin of radon

First recorded in 1915–20; rad(ium) + -on²

Words nearby radon

RAdm, Radnor, Radnorshire, Radom, radome, radon, rad/s, radula, radwaste, Rae, Raeburn

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use radon in a sentence

Although there are generalists who may be able to conduct a broad assessment, you’ll probably need a specialist in mold, radon, VOCs or other pollutants to deal with any problems, says Bender, who works with the Indoor Air Hygiene Institute.
How — and when — to check indoor air quality in your home|Laura Daily|October 17, 2021|Washington Post
Radon, an odorless, colorless gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking.
How — and when — to check indoor air quality in your home|Laura Daily|October 17, 2021|Washington Post
If you aren’t comfortable using a home test kit and want to find a pro, contact your state radon program.
How — and when — to check indoor air quality in your home|Laura Daily|October 17, 2021|Washington Post
How to deal with mold and mildew in the bathroomDon’t panic if radon has been detected.
How — and when — to check indoor air quality in your home|Laura Daily|October 17, 2021|Washington Post

With federal assistance, Florida has acted on the recommendations of dozens of local health departments to investigate environmental pollution, like groundwater contamination or radon levels in the air.
“A Complete Failure of the State”: Authorities Didn’t Heed Researchers’ Calls to Study Health Effects of Burning Sugar Cane|by Lulu Ramadan, The Palm Beach Post|August 19, 2021|ProPublica

British Dictionary definitions for radon

radon

/ (ˈreɪdɒn) /

noun

a colourless radioactive element of the rare gas group, the most stable isotope of which, radon-222, is a decay product of radium. It is used as an alpha particle source in radiotherapy. Symbol: Rn; atomic no: 86; half-life of 222 Rn: 3.82 days; valency: 0; density: 9.73 kg/m³; melting pt: –71°C; boiling pt: –61.7°C

Word Origin for radon

C20: from radium + -on

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

Scientific definitions for radon

radon

[ rā′dŏn ]

A colorless, odorless, radioactive element in the noble gas group. It is produced by the radioactive decay of radium and occurs in minute amounts in soil, rocks, and the air near the ground. Radon is used as a source of radiation for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Its most stable isotope is Rn 222 with a half-life of 3.82 days. Atomic number 86; melting point -71°C; boiling point -61.8°C; specific gravity (solid) 4. See Periodic Table.

Cultural definitions for radon

radon

[ (ray-don) ]

A colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that is produced by the decay of radium in the soil.

notes for radon

Radon seeping through the ground and into buildings is a major source of indoor air pollution and may represent a significant risk for lung cancer.