radioactive

[rey-dee-oh-ak-tiv] /ˌreɪ di oʊˈæk tɪv/
adjective, Physics, Chemistry
1.
of, pertaining to, exhibiting, or caused by radioactivity.
Origin
1895-1900; radio- + active
Related forms
radioactively, adverb
nonradioactive, adjective
unradioactive, adjective
Examples from the web for radioactive
  • The raindrops that keep falling on our heads may not cause our hair to fall out but they are, nevertheless, radioactive.
  • It would also not itself become radioactive by absorbing neutrons.
  • Around the world radioactive nuclear reactors in derelict submarines dot the seafloor.
  • radioactive sulphur signal adds to evidence of catastrophe.
  • Years later, they discovered two radioactive elements.
  • radioactive abscess scan uses a radioactive substance to look for abscesses in the body.
  • But the world has a short attention span, whereas the half-lives of many radioactive isotopes are long indeed.
  • Painting yourself with iodine is an imprecise way to protect yourself if you are exposed to radioactive iodine, but it can work.
  • Few knew the danger of radioactive materials at the time.
  • Mechanism by which microbes scrub radioactive contamination revealed.
British Dictionary definitions for radioactive

radioactive

/ˌreɪdɪəʊˈæktɪv/
adjective
1.
exhibiting, using, or concerned with radioactivity
Derived Forms
radioactively, adverb
Word Origin and History for radioactive
adj.

1898, from French radio-actif, coined by Pierre and Marie Curie from radio-, comb. form of Latin radius (see radiation) + actif "active" (see active).

radioactive in Medicine

radioactive ra·di·o·ac·tive (rā'dē-ō-āk'tĭv)
adj.
Of or exhibiting radioactivity.

radioactive in Culture

radioactive definition


A descriptive term for a material made up of atoms in which radioactivity occurs.