deuterium

noun

deu·​te·​ri·​um dü-ˈtir-ē-əm How to pronounce deuterium (audio)
 also  dyü-
: an isotope of hydrogen that has one proton and one neutron in its nucleus and that has twice the mass of ordinary hydrogen
symbol D

called also heavy hydrogen

Examples of deuterium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Most fusion projects are based on fusing two heavy hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium, while others are looking at what is known as aneutronic fusion using proton-boron or helium-3 fusion. David Szondy, New Atlas, 8 July 2024 This would necessitate an extended shutdown after initial experiments before the reactor could be used at progressively higher energies, using more potent deuterium and deuterium/tritium plasmas. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 5 July 2024 These require heavy forms of hydrogen—deuterium and tritium—for the fusion stage of the device, which is triggered by a plutonium or uranium fission bomb. Siegfried S. Hecker, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2017 North Korea has demonstrated the ability to produce deuterium and tritium, as well as a lithium compound, Lithium-6 deuteride, which can produce tritium in situ in the fusion stage of a hydrogen bomb’s detonation. Siegfried S. Hecker, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2017 See all Example Sentences for deuterium 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deuterium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek deuteros second

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deuterium was in 1933

Dictionary Entries Near deuterium

Cite this Entry

“Deuterium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deuterium. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

deuterium

noun
deu·​te·​ri·​um d(y)ü-ˈtir-ē-əm How to pronounce deuterium (audio)
: the hydrogen isotope that is twice the mass of ordinary hydrogen

called also heavy hydrogen

Medical Definition

deuterium

noun
deu·​te·​ri·​um d(y)ü-ˈtir-ē-əm How to pronounce deuterium (audio)
: an isotope of hydrogen that has one proton and one neutron in its nucleus and that has twice the mass of ordinary hydrogen

called also heavy hydrogen

More from Merriam-Webster on deuterium

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!