isotope
noun
iso·tope
ˈī-sə-ˌtōp 
1
: any of two or more species of atoms of a chemical element with the same atomic number and nearly identical chemical behavior but with differing atomic mass or mass number and different physical properties
2
: nuclide
Examples of isotope in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hydrogen isotope ratios, specifically, can be traced back to reveal how much and when water fell onto a plant.
—
Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
To answer that, the researchers turned to stable isotope analysis, a method that traces the chemical signatures of food through an animal’s body.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 6 May 2026
Transmuting actinides into isotopes Rosatom stated that fast neutron reactors can burn minor actinides by transmuting them into isotopes that are either stable or have shorter half-lives.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
Oritain’s proprietary forensic origin verification methodology uses multiple analytical techniques, including isotopes, trace elements and non-traditional isotopes, along with statistical modeling through a global reference database to ensure supply chain transparency.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for isotope
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Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
To answer that, the researchers turned to stable isotope analysis, a method that traces the chemical signatures of food through an animal’s body.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 6 May 2026
Transmuting actinides into isotopes Rosatom stated that fast neutron reactors can burn minor actinides by transmuting them into isotopes that are either stable or have shorter half-lives.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
Oritain’s proprietary forensic origin verification methodology uses multiple analytical techniques, including isotopes, trace elements and non-traditional isotopes, along with statistical modeling through a global reference database to ensure supply chain transparency.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for isotope
Cite this Entry
“Isotope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isotope. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
isotope
noun
iso·tope
ˈī-sə-ˌtōp
: any of the forms of an element that differ in the number of neutrons in an atom
Medical Definition
isotope
noun
iso·tope
ˈī-sə-ˌtōp
1
: any of two or more species of atoms of a chemical element with the same atomic number and position in the periodic table and nearly identical chemical behavior but with differing atomic mass or mass number and different physical properties
2
: nuclide
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