polonium

noun po·lo·ni·um \ pə-ˈlō-nē-əm \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of polonium

: a radioactive metallic element that is similar chemically to tellurium and bismuth, occurs especially in pitchblende and radium-lead residues, and emits an alpha particle to form an isotope of lead — see Chemical Elements Table

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Recent Examples of polonium from the Web

Russia has a track record: in London in 2006 its agents assassinated Alexander Litvinenko, another ex-spy, by slipping polonium into his tea.

— The Economist, "Conspiracy theories from, and about, Russia," 14 Apr. 2018
In 2006, another former Russian spy, Alexander V. Litvinenko, was fatally poisoned in London with a radioactive element, polonium 210, an assassination that Britain contends was directed by Moscow, which Russia denies.

— michael wolgelenter and richard pÉrez-peÑa, New York Times, "Yulia Skripal Released From U.K. Hospital After Poisoning," 10 Apr. 2018
British forensic scientists were ultimately able to determine which Russian reactor the polonium had come from.

— tom tugendhat, Time, "Russia Is Now a Rogue State. We Must Treat It Like One," 15 Mar. 2018
Other evidence includes intelligence that Russia has experimented with chemical agents for assassinations and previously targeted former Russian agents—including Alexander Litvinenko, poisoned with radioactive polonium in London in 2006.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Truth and Lies in Britain and Russia," 4 Apr. 2018
The attack evoked memories of the 2006 murder with polonium of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko in London, which was linked to Mr. Putin.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Vladimir Taunts the West," 15 Mar. 2018
Critics say the British authorities took only modest countermeasures after Russian agents poisoned a former MI6 informant in 2006 with the rare isotope polonium 210.

— ellen barry and richard pÉrez-peÑa, New York Times, "Britain Blames Moscow for Poisoning of Former Russian Spy," 12 Mar. 2018
In 2006, Russian intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko died after being poisoned with polonium in England.

— terrell jermaine starr, The Root, "Russia Expels 23 British Diplomats in Tit for Tat Over Spy Poisoning," 17 Mar. 2018
On many of these Mrs May has responded more robustly than Tony Blair did following the fatal poisoning in 2006, with polonium, of another Russian ex-spook, Alexander Litvinenko.

— The Economist, "Britain’s poisoned relationship with Russia," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polonium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.