isotropic

adjective

iso·​tro·​pic ˌī-sə-ˈtrō-pik  -ˈträ- 

: exhibiting properties (such as velocity of light transmission) with the same values when measured along axes in all directions

an isotropic crystal

isotropy

ī-ˈsä-trə-pē 

noun

Examples of isotropic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This may have been a form of punishment or sacrifice of the group's social outcasts, but isotropic analysis revealed otherwise. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025

The fibers were also less prone to breakage after carbonization, resulting in performance similar to that of existing moderate-to-high-strength isotropic carbon fibers. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 21 Mar. 2025

Making the universe homogeneous and isotropic might be one smart way our supercomputing simulator-overlords, requiring operational speeds far exceeding yottaflops, planned to conserve resources. —Jason Kehe, Wired, 9 Mar. 2022

In cosmology, a central tenet is that space must, on average, be homogeneous and isotropic. —James Geach, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

iso- + -tropic

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for isotropic

• arthroscopic
• barotropic
• cystoscopic
• endoscopic
• gyroscopic
• hygroscopic
• isentropic
• isotopic
• macroscopic
• microscopic
• orthotopic
• orthotropic

Medical Definition

isotropic

adjective

iso·​tro·​pic ˌī-sə-ˈtrō-pik  -ˈträp-ik 

1

: exhibiting properties (as velocity of light transmission) with the same values when measured along axes in all directions

an isotropic crystal

2

: lacking predetermined axes

an isotropic egg

isotropy

ī-ˈsä-trə-pē 

noun

plural isotropies