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radiocarbon
noun
ra·dio·car·bon
ˌrā-dē-ō-ˈkär-bən
often attributive
: radioactive carbon
especially
: carbon 14
Examples of radiocarbon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The researchers performed radiocarbon dating on all the bones, as well as two golden pendants shaped like a crescent moon and a wheel, and all appear to be from the second or third centuries, writes All That’s Interesting’s Kaleena Fraga.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The finds will also be radiocarbon dated to determine their exact age.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
Recently, researchers performed radiocarbon testing on four artifacts held by a Catholic convent in Rome.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
Experts analyzed the chemical and physical properties of the bread and used radiocarbon dating to determine its age, the university said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
Archaeologists used radiocarbon dating to date one mass grave to between the late 1400s and early 1600s, and found shards of pottery and coins dating from the later end of that range at the site.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024
Topping found few of these orbs below the soil layer with the errant radiocarbon dates, and few after.
—Zach St. George, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024
In future studies, the team would like to directly radiocarbon date and measure the carbon isotopes of hazelnut shells from other archeological sites and environments.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Feb. 2024
Indeed, scientists used radiocarbon dating on a 2,000-year-old skull to determine that Romans may have been among the first to deliberately breed lapdogs, according to a study published in the Journal of Archeological Science in 2023.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'radiocarbon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1936, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing radiocarbon
Dictionary Entries Near radiocarbon
Cite this Entry
“Radiocarbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radiocarbon. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
radiocarbon
noun
ra·dio·car·bon
ˌrād-ē-ō-ˈkär-bən
: radioactive carbon
especially
: carbon 14
Medical Definition
radiocarbon
noun
ra·dio·car·bon
ˌrād-ē-ō-ˈkär-bən
: radioactive carbon
especially
: carbon 14
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