plutonium
noun
plu·to·ni·um
plü-ˈtō-nē-əm 
: a radioactive metallic element similar chemically to uranium that is formed as the isotope 239 by decay of neptunium and found in minute quantities in pitchblende, that undergoes slow disintegration with the emission of an alpha particle to form uranium 235, and that is fissionable with slow neutrons to yield atomic energy see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of plutonium in a Sentence
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These produce plutonium while simultaneously generating electricity.
—
Thomas Bass
author, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Both spacecraft are powered by the heat from decaying plutonium that is converted into electricity.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024
In midair, the grains melted and fused together with plutonium and metals from the bomb.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2024
This not only takes advantage of reusing the 96 percent of the energy that remains after the fuel has been used in a reactor but has also significantly reduced France’s generation of high-level waste, including plutonium.
—Dj Nordquist, Foreign Affairs, 12 Jan. 2023
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Thomas Bass
author, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Both spacecraft are powered by the heat from decaying plutonium that is converted into electricity.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024
In midair, the grains melted and fused together with plutonium and metals from the bomb.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2024
This not only takes advantage of reusing the 96 percent of the energy that remains after the fuel has been used in a reactor but has also significantly reduced France’s generation of high-level waste, including plutonium.
—Dj Nordquist, Foreign Affairs, 12 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for plutonium
Dictionary Entries Near plutonium
Cite this Entry
“Plutonium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plutonium. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plutonium
noun
plu·to·ni·um
plü-ˈtō-nē-əm
: a radioactive metallic element that is formed by decay of neptunium and found in minute quantities in pitchblende and that produces atomic energy by fission see element
Medical Definition
plutonium
noun
plu·to·ni·um
plü-ˈtō-nē-əm
: a radioactive metallic element similar chemically to uranium that is formed as the isotope 239 by decay of neptunium and found in minute quantities in pitchblende, that undergoes slow disintegration with the emission of an alpha particle to form uranium 235, and that is fissionable with slow neutrons to yield atomic energy
—symbol Pu
see Chemical Elements Table
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