often attributive
: an intensely radioactive metallic chemical element that occurs in combination in minute quantities in minerals (such as pitchblende or carnotite), emits alpha particles and gamma rays to form radon, and is used chiefly in the treatment of cancer and in radiographic devices see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of radium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two decades before Marie Curie’s discovery of radium in 1898, radioactivity and its pernicious health effects remained poorly understood.
—
Corrado Nai, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2024
The discovery of radium and other radioactive metals opened the doors to administering higher doses of radiation to target cancers located deeper within the body.
—Elie Dolgin, Ars Technica, 21 June 2024
However, the need for nighttime and low-light illumination in the trenches caused watch companies to begin painting their dials with radium, the dangers of which were then unknown.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 13 June 2024
Coal ash dangers The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is acknowledging the dangers posed by the radium in coal ash, the byproduct of burning coal for electricity, reports Sarah Bowman at the Indy Star.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for radium 
Corrado Nai, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2024
The discovery of radium and other radioactive metals opened the doors to administering higher doses of radiation to target cancers located deeper within the body.
—Elie Dolgin, Ars Technica, 21 June 2024
However, the need for nighttime and low-light illumination in the trenches caused watch companies to begin painting their dials with radium, the dangers of which were then unknown.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 13 June 2024
Coal ash dangers The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is acknowledging the dangers posed by the radium in coal ash, the byproduct of burning coal for electricity, reports Sarah Bowman at the Indy Star.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for radium
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Cite this Entry
“Radium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radium. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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Medical Definition
radium
noun
ra·di·um
ˈrād-ē-əm 
often attributive
: an intensely radioactive shining white metallic element that resembles barium chemically, that occurs in combination in minute quantities in minerals (as pitchblende or carnotite) principally as the isotope of mass number 226 formed from uranium 238, having a half-life of 1620 years, and emitting alpha particles and gamma rays to form radon, and that is used chiefly in luminous materials and in the treatment of cancer
—symbol Ra
see Chemical Elements Table
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