sievert

noun

sie·​vert ˈsē-vərt How to pronounce sievert (audio)
: an SI unit for the dosage of ionizing radiation equal to 100 rems

Examples of sievert in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The sievert, by comparison, is the unit that quantifies the biological effect that a dose of radiation has on the body. Monique Brouillette, Popular Mechanics, 28 Aug. 2023 The sievert is a unit that measures the amount of radiation absorbed by a person—while accounting for the type of radiation and its impact on particular organs and tissues in the body—and is equivalent to one joule of energy per kilogram of mass. Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 14 July 2021 One millisievert—a thousandth of a sievert—will have no effect; a chest CAT scan, for example, delivers a dose of seven millisieverts. Carolyn Kormann, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2019 The unit of measurement for the impact of ionizing radiation on a person’s health is called a sievert. Carolyn Kormann, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2019 One million microsieverts is equal to 1 sievert, the unit used to measure radiation and quantify the amount absorbed by the body. Eric Cheung and Yoko Wakatsuki, CNN, 5 Dec. 2019 Exposure to 10 sieverts will lead to person’s death within weeks, reports McCurry. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 6 Feb. 2017 The previous high in the reactor was 73 sieverts recorded in 2012, reports The Japan Times. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 6 Feb. 2017 The robot used Wednesday was designed to tolerate radiation of up to 200 sieverts — a level that can kill humans instantly. Washington Post, 19 July 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sievert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Rolf Maximilian Sievert †1966 Swedish radiologist

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sievert was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near sievert

Cite this Entry

“Sievert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sievert. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

sievert

noun
sie·​vert ˈsē-vərt How to pronounce sievert (audio)
: an SI unit for the dosage of ionizing radiation equal to 100 rems
abbreviation Sv

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