curium

noun

cu·​ri·​um ˈkyu̇r-ē-əm How to pronounce curium (audio)
ˈkyər-
: a metallic radioactive chemical element that is only produced artificially and that is used in spectrometers and in thermoelectric generators on spacecraft see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of curium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The heaviest stable element that can be combined with calcium 48 (20 protons) is curium (96 protons), resulting in livermorium (116 protons). Max Springer, Scientific American, 24 July 2024 Why are helium, curium, and barium the three main medical elements? Olivia Muenter, Woman's Day, 23 Mar. 2023 Along with americium, the discovery of curium was related to the top-secret Manhattan Project, so no announcement was made until WWII ended. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 17 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Marie & Pierre Curie

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curium was in 1946

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Cite this Entry

“Curium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curium. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

curium

noun
cu·​ri·​um ˈkyu̇r-ē-əm How to pronounce curium (audio)
: a metallic radioactive element artificially produced see element

Medical Definition

curium

noun
cu·​ri·​um ˈkyu̇r-ē-əm How to pronounce curium (audio)
: a metallic radioactive element produced artificially
symbol Cm
see Chemical Elements Table

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