trans·ura·nic
ˌtran(t)-syu̇-ˈra-nik 
-shə-,
-ˈrā-;
ˌtran-zyu̇-,
-zhə-
variants
or transuranium
: of, relating to, or being an element with an atomic number greater than that of uranium
: a transuranic element
Examples of transuranic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
Meanwhile, some atoms of uranium-238 can absorb neutrons and become plutonium and other transuranic elements.
—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
28 Dec. 2024
Currently, the subterranean landfill carved out of an ancient salt formation is licensed to take transuranic waste, or waste generated by the nation’s nuclear weapons program that is contaminated with radioactive elements heavier than uranium.
—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Fortune,
20 Dec. 2022
Salt is another rock type favored for nuclear waste disposal; the USA uses salt caverns in New Mexico to dispose of transuranic waste (similar to intermediate-level waste) from military sources.
—
Howard Lee,
Ars Technica,
17 Aug. 2022
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
These heavy transuranics are artificial elements that do not occur in nature and have to be made in a laboratory.
—
David Szondy
august 27,
New Atlas,
27 Aug. 2025
Meitner and Hahn had published multiple papers on transuranics.
—
Ashraya Gupta,
Scientific American,
7 Sep. 2023
Separately, the Nobel Prize–winning physicist Carlo Rubbia has talked up the idea for two decades of having protons from an accelerator bombard a target, knocking off neutrons, which in turn do the work of fracturing transuranics.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
28 Dec. 2012
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Adjective
Minor actinides, including neptunium, americium, and curium, are transuranic elements produced in nuclear fuel during reactor operation.
—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
Meanwhile, some atoms of uranium-238 can absorb neutrons and become plutonium and other transuranic elements.
—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
28 Dec. 2024
Currently, the subterranean landfill carved out of an ancient salt formation is licensed to take transuranic waste, or waste generated by the nation’s nuclear weapons program that is contaminated with radioactive elements heavier than uranium.
—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Fortune,
20 Dec. 2022
Salt is another rock type favored for nuclear waste disposal; the USA uses salt caverns in New Mexico to dispose of transuranic waste (similar to intermediate-level waste) from military sources.
—
Howard Lee,
Ars Technica,
17 Aug. 2022
Noun
The reactor is engineered to run on mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel and transuranic (TRU) fuels sourced from existing Department of Energy stockpiles.
—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
These heavy transuranics are artificial elements that do not occur in nature and have to be made in a laboratory.
—
David Szondy
august 27,
New Atlas,
27 Aug. 2025
Meitner and Hahn had published multiple papers on transuranics.
—
Ashraya Gupta,
Scientific American,
7 Sep. 2023
Separately, the Nobel Prize–winning physicist Carlo Rubbia has talked up the idea for two decades of having protons from an accelerator bombard a target, knocking off neutrons, which in turn do the work of fracturing transuranics.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
28 Dec. 2012
Cite this Entry
“Transuranic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transuranic. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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