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
Multi-isotope analysis is a rapidly developing scientific method that Cardiff researchers used to determine where prehistoric humans sourced their animals.
—
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Researchers used multi-isotope analysis to determine where the bones came from.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
This required the development of new and sophisticated element-separating techniques and improved methods to analyze isotopes with incredible precision.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The imaging and isotope analysis also helped the team separate when the rocks went through more subtle changes versus the more dramatic events, such as when Rodina was tearing apart and magma shot up to the Earth’s surface.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for isotope
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Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Researchers used multi-isotope analysis to determine where the bones came from.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
This required the development of new and sophisticated element-separating techniques and improved methods to analyze isotopes with incredible precision.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The imaging and isotope analysis also helped the team separate when the rocks went through more subtle changes versus the more dramatic events, such as when Rodina was tearing apart and magma shot up to the Earth’s surface.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 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 Sep. 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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