strontium 90

noun

: a heavy radioactive isotope of strontium of mass number 90 that has a half-life of 29 years, that is present in nuclear waste and fallout, and that is hazardous because like calcium it can be assimilated in biological processes and deposited in the bones of human beings and animals

Examples of strontium 90 in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Levels of strontium 90 were found to be as much as 50 times greater than children born in 1950. Worth Sparkman, Axios, 12 July 2024 The cows in pastures were eating grass that was [contaminated] by strontium 90. Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 17 June 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strontium 90.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of strontium 90 was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near strontium 90

Cite this Entry

“Strontium 90.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strontium%2090. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

strontium 90

noun
: a heavy radioactive form of strontium having the mass number 90 that is present in nuclear waste and fallout

Medical Definition

strontium 90

noun
: a heavy radioactive isotope of strontium having the mass number 90 that is present in the fallout from nuclear explosions and is hazardous because like calcium it can be assimilated in biological processes and deposited in the bones of human beings and animals

called also radiostrontium

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