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
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The worst of the radioactive isotopes were already fading from existence; but the night glow would last for several weeks more, and people would continue to die in ways that people never imagined.
—
Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Calcium isotopes reveal niche partitioning within the dinosaur fauna of the Carnegie Quarry, Morrison Formation
Rosie McCall is a freelance writer living in London.
—Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2025
To identify Carlin’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental, anthropological and radio isotope analysis.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2025
Its lead isotopes also point to a volcanic source deep underground that has an unusually high uranium-to-lead ratio (the lead being a decay product of uranium).
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for isotope
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Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Calcium isotopes reveal niche partitioning within the dinosaur fauna of the Carnegie Quarry, Morrison Formation
Rosie McCall is a freelance writer living in London.
—Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2025
To identify Carlin’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental, anthropological and radio isotope analysis.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2025
Its lead isotopes also point to a volcanic source deep underground that has an unusually high uranium-to-lead ratio (the lead being a decay product of uranium).
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for isotope
Cite this Entry
“Isotope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isotope. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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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