radioisotope

noun

ra·​dio·​iso·​tope ˌrā-dē-ō-ˈī-sə-ˌtōp 

: a radioactive isotope

radioisotopic

ˌrā-dē-ō-ˌī-sə-ˈtä-pik 

-ˈtō-

adjective

radioisotopically

ˌrā-dē-ō-ˌī-sə-ˈtä-pi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of radioisotope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Iodine radioisotopes have half-lives that span from a tenth of a second to 16 million years. —Andrea Richard, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025

So far, radioisotope power systems (RPSs) in space have utilized plutonium-238 (Pu-238) as a fuel source. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025

Many long-term spacecraft, such as the Mars rovers Curiosity and Perseverance, use radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) to provide power. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2025

If the diagnostic scan confirms a match, the same targeting molecule is paired with a therapeutic radioisotope and given to the patient. —Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for radioisotope

• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cantaloupe
• cystoscope
• endoscope
• envelope
• epitope
• gyroscope
• horoscope
• isotope
• microscope
• misanthrope

Kids Definition

radioisotope

noun

ra·​dio·​iso·​tope ˌrād-ē-ō-ˈī-sə-ˌtōp 

: a radioactive isotope

Medical Definition

radioisotope

noun

ra·​dio·​iso·​tope ˌrād-ē-ō-ˈī-sə-ˌtōp 

: a radioactive isotope compare radioelement

radioisotopic

-ˌī-sə-ˈtäp-ik, -ˈtōp-ik 

adjective

radioisotopically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb