isotope
noun
iso·tope
ˈī-sə-ˌtōp 
1
: any of two or more species of atoms of a chemical element with the same atomic number and nearly identical chemical behavior but with differing atomic mass or mass number and different physical properties
2
: nuclide
Examples of isotope in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Additionally, the study of chemical isotopes — variants of carbon and nitrogen that reflect plant or animal proteins consumed — from a bone sample taken from the mummy’s spine revealed a high-quality diet based on grain and a large proportion of meat.
—
Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Chemical analyses of Megalodon teeth, examining nitrogen and zinc isotopes, further confirm its status as an apex predator.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The scientists used multiple methods, including radiocarbon dating, CT scans, and stable isotope analysis, to reach their conclusion.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
One such alternative is stable isotope analysis, which has been used in marine ecology since the late 1980s.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for isotope
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Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Chemical analyses of Megalodon teeth, examining nitrogen and zinc isotopes, further confirm its status as an apex predator.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The scientists used multiple methods, including radiocarbon dating, CT scans, and stable isotope analysis, to reach their conclusion.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
One such alternative is stable isotope analysis, which has been used in marine ecology since the late 1980s.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for isotope
Cite this Entry
“Isotope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isotope. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
isotope
noun
iso·tope
ˈī-sə-ˌtōp
: any of the forms of an element that differ in the number of neutrons in an atom
Medical Definition
isotope
noun
iso·tope
ˈī-sə-ˌtōp
1
: any of two or more species of atoms of a chemical element with the same atomic number and position in the periodic table and nearly identical chemical behavior but with differing atomic mass or mass number and different physical properties
2
: nuclide
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