curie

noun

cu·​rie ˈkyu̇r-(ˌ)ē How to pronounce curie (audio)
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

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curie.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Marie & Pierre Curie

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curie was in 1910

Dictionary Entries Near curie

Cite this Entry

“Curie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curie. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

curie

noun
cu·​rie ˈkyu̇(ə)r-(ˌ)ē How to pronounce curie (audio)
kyu̇-ˈrē
: a unit of radioactivity equal to 37 billion disintegrations per second

Medical Definition

curie

noun
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 How to pronounce Curie (audio)
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 How to pronounce Curie (audio)
-ˈdȯv-
French (Polish-born) chemist

Curie

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Pierre 1859–1906 husband of Marie Curie French chemist

More from Merriam-Webster on curie

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


A Good Old-Fashioned Quiz

Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY