heavy water

noun

1
: the compound D2O composed of deuterium and oxygen

called also deuterium oxide

2
: water enriched in deuterium

Examples of heavy water 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.
But its cover was blown in December 2002, when satellite photos emerged showing an enrichment site in the city of Natanz and a heavy water plant about 200 miles away in Arak. Dan De Luce, NBC news, 28 June 2025 Israel took out top generals and nuclear scientists and destroyed nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan and the Arak heavy water reactor, Netanyahu said. Melanie Lidman, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025 Israel meanwhile struck a heavy water reactor that is part of Iran’s nuclear program. Lionel Lim, Fortune, 19 June 2025 Israel's military said its fighter jets targeted the Arak heavy water reactor, some 155 miles southwest of Tehran, to prevent it from being used to produce plutonium. Arkansas Online, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for heavy water

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of heavy water was in 1933

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Cite this Entry

“Heavy water.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy%20water. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

heavy water

noun
: water enriched in deuterium

Medical Definition

heavy water

noun
1
: the compound D2O composed of deuterium and oxygen

called also deuterium oxide

2
: water having a higher-than-usual proportion of deuterium among its hydrogen atoms

More from Merriam-Webster on heavy water

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