radium

noun

ra·​di·​um ˈrā-dē-əm 

often attributive

: an intensely radioactive metallic chemical element that occurs in combination in minute quantities in minerals (such as pitchblende or carnotite), emits alpha particles and gamma rays to form radon, and is used chiefly in the treatment of cancer and in radiographic devices see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of radium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1911 Curie won her second Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry, for her work with polonium and radium. —Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2022

The city asked regulators in 2010 for permission to withdraw Lake Michigan water because its wells are contaminated with radium. —Todd Richmond, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023

The phosphate ore mined to produce phosphoric acid contains uranium and radium; those radioactive components are concentrated during the manufacturing process. —Eric Tegethoff, The New Republic, 18 July 2023

The city asked regulators in 2010 for permission to withdraw the water because its groundwater wells are contaminated with radium. —Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023

Since then, the park's water has exceeded allowed radium levels 15 times, court documents show. —Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 22 July 2023

And the industry is quick to point out that the uranium and radium in phosphate ore are known as naturally occurring radioactive materials, or NORM. —Eric Tegethoff, The New Republic, 18 July 2023

Initially, uranium was just a waste byproduct of digging for the more valuable radium, which Nobel-prize winner Marie Curie had helped discover could treat cancer. —Ngofeen Mputubwele, WIRED, 21 Aug. 2023

Using the data provided under the Clean Water Act, the most common contaminants across the board are arsenic, nitrate, radium, and uranium, says Daniel Snow, PhD, a research professor and director of services at the Nebraska Water Center, hosted at the University of Nebraska. —Zee Krstic, goodhousekeeping.com, 12 May 2023

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Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin radius ray

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing radium

• radium therapy

• radium therapy

Kids Definition

radium

noun

ra·​di·​um ˈrād-ē-əm 

: a strongly radioactive shining white metallic element that is chemically similar to barium, occurs in combination in very small quantities in minerals (as pitchblende), and is used in the treatment of cancer see element

Medical Definition

radium

noun

ra·​di·​um ˈrād-ē-əm 

often attributive

: an intensely radioactive shining white metallic element that resembles barium chemically, that occurs in combination in minute quantities in minerals (as pitchblende or carnotite) principally as the isotope of mass number 226 formed from uranium 238, having a half-life of 1620 years, and emitting alpha particles and gamma rays to form radon, and that is used chiefly in luminous materials and in the treatment of cancer

—symbol Ra see Chemical Elements Table