carbon dating

noun

: the determination of the age of old material (such as an archaeological or paleontological specimen) by means of the content of carbon 14
carbon-date transitive verb

Examples of carbon dating in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Reher-Langberg hopes future carbon dating and pollen analysis might answer some lingering questions, for instance about what kind of textile production went on at the site. James Brooks, Fortune, 24 June 2026 That place of the carbon dating machine, that was in Padua. Todd Gilchrist, IndieWire, 24 June 2026 After starting his career working in carbon dating – a process that involves tracking the decay of radioactive isotopes – the former semi-pro baseball player studied radiochemistry, which involves the use of radioactive substances in everything from power to medicine. Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025 But Toronto hasn’t won it all in so many sports generations its 1967 Stanley Cup needs carbon dating. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for carbon dating

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbon dating was in 1951

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Cite this Entry

“Carbon dating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20dating. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

carbon dating

noun
: the measurement of age (as of a fossil) by means of the amount of carbon 14 in the material
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