curie

noun

cu·​rie ˈkyu̇r-(ˌ)ē 

ˈkyər-;

kyu̇-ˈrē

plural curies

1

: a unit quantity of any radioactive nuclide in which 3.7 × 10¹⁰ disintegrations occur per second

2

: a unit of radioactivity equal to 3.7 × 10¹⁰ disintegrations per second compare becquerel

—abbreviation c, Ci

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Know Your Terms: A curie is a measurement of radioactive decay, named after perhaps the most iconic woman scientist in history, Marie Curie. —Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 Mar. 2023

The average concentration of plutonium in the surface soil of the refuge portion of the site is 1.1 picocuries (trillionths of a curie) per gram (pCi/g). —Vincent Carroll, The Denver Post, 16 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

Marie & Pierre Curie

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

curie

noun

cu·​rie ˈkyu̇(ə)r-(ˌ)ē 

kyu̇-ˈrē

: a unit of radioactivity equal to 37 billion disintegrations per second

Medical Definition

curie

noun

cu·​rie ˈkyu̇(ə)r-(ˌ)ē, kyu̇-ˈrē 

1

: a unit quantity of any radioactive nuclide in which 3.7 × 10¹⁰ disintegrations occur per second

2

: a unit of radioactivity equal to 3.7 × 10¹⁰ disintegrations per second

Biographical Definition

Curie 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

Cu·​rie kyu̇-ˈrē 

ˈkyu̇r-(ˌ)ē

Eve 1904–2007 daughter of Marie and Pierre Curie American (French-born) author

Curie

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Marie 1867–1934 née Maria Skłodowska sklə-ˈdȯf-skə 

-ˈdȯv-

French (Polish-born) chemist

Curie

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Pierre 1859–1906 husband of Marie Curie French chemist