plutonium
noun
plu·to·ni·um
plü-ˈtō-nē-əm 
: a radioactive metallic element similar chemically to uranium that is formed as the isotope 239 by decay of neptunium and found in minute quantities in pitchblende, that undergoes slow disintegration with the emission of an alpha particle to form uranium 235, and that is fissionable with slow neutrons to yield atomic energy see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of plutonium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After the war, Leona's expertise in nuclear pile design led her to a job overseeing the operation and construction of the plutonium production reactors in Hanford, Washington.
—
Erica Huang, Scientific American, 20 July 2023
The plutonium bomb acquired the nickname Fat Man; the uranium bomb was Little Boy.
—Kc Cole, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
The two Voyager probes are powered by plutonium, but that power system will eventually run out of juice.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024
Japan has the shortest path to developing nuclear weapons, boasting both its own facilities for processing nuclear fuel and what is likely the world’s largest plutonium stockpile.
—Andrew S. Erickson, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024
The lake’s sediment has preserved a record of human activity, including microplastics, evidence of burning fossil fuels and a measure of radioactive plutonium from testing nuclear weapons.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024
The specific type on Voyager is called a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, which is a big name for what is basically a hunk of plutonium in a box.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2024
In 2020 a lab worker inhaled plutonium oxide powder—a terrifying prospect.
—Abe Streep, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023
Employees training to use glove boxes to handle plutonium.
—Time, 24 July 2023
Erica Huang, Scientific American, 20 July 2023
The plutonium bomb acquired the nickname Fat Man; the uranium bomb was Little Boy.
—Kc Cole, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
The two Voyager probes are powered by plutonium, but that power system will eventually run out of juice.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024
Japan has the shortest path to developing nuclear weapons, boasting both its own facilities for processing nuclear fuel and what is likely the world’s largest plutonium stockpile.
—Andrew S. Erickson, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024
The lake’s sediment has preserved a record of human activity, including microplastics, evidence of burning fossil fuels and a measure of radioactive plutonium from testing nuclear weapons.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024
The specific type on Voyager is called a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, which is a big name for what is basically a hunk of plutonium in a box.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2024
In 2020 a lab worker inhaled plutonium oxide powder—a terrifying prospect.
—Abe Streep, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023
Employees training to use glove boxes to handle plutonium.
—Time, 24 July 2023
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Cite this Entry
“Plutonium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plutonium. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plutonium
noun
plu·to·ni·um
plü-ˈtō-nē-əm
: a radioactive metallic element that is formed by decay of neptunium and found in minute quantities in pitchblende and that produces atomic energy by fission see element
Medical Definition
plutonium
noun
plu·to·ni·um
plü-ˈtō-nē-əm
: a radioactive metallic element similar chemically to uranium that is formed as the isotope 239 by decay of neptunium and found in minute quantities in pitchblende, that undergoes slow disintegration with the emission of an alpha particle to form uranium 235, and that is fissionable with slow neutrons to yield atomic energy
—symbol Pu
see Chemical Elements Table
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