nuclide

noun

nu·​clide ˈnü-ˌklīd How to pronounce nuclide (audio)
ˈnyü-
: a species of atom characterized by the constitution of its nucleus and hence by the number of protons, the number of neutrons, and the energy content
nuclidic adjective

Examples of nuclide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Cosmogenic nuclides are rare isotopes created when high-energy cosmic rays interact with chemical elements in minerals on Earth’s surface. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 Dating the Tools The team used a dating method based on cosmogenic nuclides to determine the date of the tools from the Korolevo site. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 Related article Gene that protected humans 5,000 years ago may be linked to debilitating modern disease The shower of radiation as cosmic rays interact with the atmosphere can penetrate rock, creating cosmogenic nuclides, or isotopes. Katie Hunt, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 Storage tanks at the site, which hold water treated by a nuclide-removal facility called ALPS, are forecast to be full by mid-2022, and space for building more is scarce. Aya Takada, Bloomberg.com, 29 Apr. 2020 Water treatment is happening at large-scale facilities that have been built onsite, including a multi-nuclide removal facility. William Steel, Ars Technica, 11 May 2018 The half-life of cesium-137, one of the most harmful nuclides released during the accident, is approximately thirty years. Serhii Plokhy, Time, 26 Apr. 2018

Word History

Etymology

nucleus + Greek eidos form, species — more at idol

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nuclide was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near nuclide

Cite this Entry

“Nuclide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuclide. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

nuclide

noun
nu·​clide ˈn(y)ü-ˌklīd How to pronounce nuclide (audio)
: a kind of atom marked by the number of protons and neutrons and by the amount of energy contained in its nucleus

Medical Definition

nuclide

noun
nu·​clide ˈn(y)ü-ˌklīd How to pronounce nuclide (audio)
: a species of atom characterized by the constitution of its nucleus and hence by the number of protons, the number of neutrons, and the energy content
nuclidic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on nuclide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!