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
Most of the other samples had ruthenium isotope signatures consistent with salicaceous (S-type) asteroids from the inner Solar System, although the ancient Archean samples were also consist with a C-type asteroid.
—
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 Aug. 2024
The method successfully distinguished molecules that look structurally the same but are, in fact, different in their carbon isotope distribution.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Aug. 2024
In the current study, researchers analyzed the ratio of strontium to calcium and the ratio of oxygen isotopes in coral skeletons to reconstruct SSTs between 1618 and 1995.
—Alison Snyder, Axios, 7 Aug. 2024
How much meteorites and solar wind contribute to the atmosphere should affect the concentrations of isotopes in the soil.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for isotope 
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 Aug. 2024
The method successfully distinguished molecules that look structurally the same but are, in fact, different in their carbon isotope distribution.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Aug. 2024
In the current study, researchers analyzed the ratio of strontium to calcium and the ratio of oxygen isotopes in coral skeletons to reconstruct SSTs between 1618 and 1995.
—Alison Snyder, Axios, 7 Aug. 2024
How much meteorites and solar wind contribute to the atmosphere should affect the concentrations of isotopes in the soil.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for isotope
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'isotope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Isotope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isotope. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.
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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