strontium 90

noun

Definition of strontium 90

: a heavy radioactive isotope of strontium of mass number 90 that has a half-life of 29 years, that is present in nuclear waste and fallout, and that is hazardous because like calcium it can be assimilated in biological processes and deposited in the bones of human beings and animals

Examples of strontium 90 in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The cows in pastures were eating grass that was [contaminated] by strontium 90. — Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 17 June 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strontium 90.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Strontium 90.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strontium%2090. Accessed 29 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for strontium 90

strontium 90

noun

Medical Definition of strontium 90

: a heavy radioactive isotope of strontium having the mass number 90 that is present in the fallout from nuclear explosions and is hazardous because like calcium it can be assimilated in biological processes and deposited in the bones of human beings and animals

— called also radiostrontium