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
Now, the federal agency is finally recognizing the dangers posed by radium in coal ash, the byproduct of burning coal for electricity.
—
Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024
State officials said Kim Jr. failed to remedy radium violations, increasing the risk of cancer to residents.
—Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 22 July 2023
In 1911 Curie won her second Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry, for her work with polonium and radium.
—Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2022
The city asked regulators in 2010 for permission to withdraw Lake Michigan water because its wells are contaminated with radium.
—Todd Richmond, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
The phosphate ore mined to produce phosphoric acid contains uranium and radium; those radioactive components are concentrated during the manufacturing process.
—Eric Tegethoff, The New Republic, 18 July 2023
The city asked regulators in 2010 for permission to withdraw the water because its groundwater wells are contaminated with radium.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023
Since then, the park's water has exceeded allowed radium levels 15 times, court documents show.
—Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 22 July 2023
And the industry is quick to point out that the uranium and radium in phosphate ore are known as naturally occurring radioactive materials, or NORM.
—Eric Tegethoff, The New Republic, 18 July 2023
Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024
State officials said Kim Jr. failed to remedy radium violations, increasing the risk of cancer to residents.
—Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 22 July 2023
In 1911 Curie won her second Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry, for her work with polonium and radium.
—Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2022
The city asked regulators in 2010 for permission to withdraw Lake Michigan water because its wells are contaminated with radium.
—Todd Richmond, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
The phosphate ore mined to produce phosphoric acid contains uranium and radium; those radioactive components are concentrated during the manufacturing process.
—Eric Tegethoff, The New Republic, 18 July 2023
The city asked regulators in 2010 for permission to withdraw the water because its groundwater wells are contaminated with radium.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023
Since then, the park's water has exceeded allowed radium levels 15 times, court documents show.
—Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 22 July 2023
And the industry is quick to point out that the uranium and radium in phosphate ore are known as naturally occurring radioactive materials, or NORM.
—Eric Tegethoff, The New Republic, 18 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'radium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near radium
Cite this Entry
“Radium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radium. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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