uranium 235

noun

Definition of uranium 235

: a light isotope of uranium of mass number 235 that constitutes less than one percent of natural uranium, that when bombarded with slow neutrons undergoes rapid fission into smaller atoms with the release of neutrons and energy, and that is used in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs

See uranium 235 defined for kids

Recent Examples of uranium 235 from the Web

Anyone can see that fissioning uranium 235 or plutonium can be used to generate electricity.

— Scientific American, "Readers Respond to the January 2018 Issue," 1 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uranium 235.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of uranium 235

1940

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

uranium 235

noun

medical Definition of uranium 235

: a light isotope of uranium of mass number 235 that when bombarded with slow neutrons undergoes rapid fission into smaller atoms with the release of neutrons and energy