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
Each ball contained about 1/50th of a gram of radioactive isotopes, enough to register on handheld detectors but (theoretically) not enough to be harmful.
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
In Leipzig, Heisenberg began theoretical work on the construction of a nuclear reactor required to separate isotopes of uranium and release uranium-235.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
However, more direct measures of diet – such as stable isotopes or dental microwear – were often lacking.
—Aditya Reddy Kurre, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
To detect such a minute signal, the researchers dissolved the powdered rocks in acid, isolated the resulting potassium, and then used an ultra-sensitive mass spectrometer to precisely measure the ratios of the element's three isotopes, according to the new study.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for isotope
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Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
In Leipzig, Heisenberg began theoretical work on the construction of a nuclear reactor required to separate isotopes of uranium and release uranium-235.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
However, more direct measures of diet – such as stable isotopes or dental microwear – were often lacking.
—Aditya Reddy Kurre, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
To detect such a minute signal, the researchers dissolved the powdered rocks in acid, isolated the resulting potassium, and then used an ultra-sensitive mass spectrometer to precisely measure the ratios of the element's three isotopes, according to the new study.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 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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