First Known Use: 1942
Dictionary
plutonium
noun plu·to·ni·um \plü-ˈtō-nē-əm\
: a radioactive element that is used to make nuclear energy and nuclear weapons
Full Definition of PLUTONIUM
: a radioactive metallic element similar chemically to uranium that is formed as the isotope 239 by decay of neptunium and found in minute quantities in pitchblende, that undergoes slow disintegration with the emission of an alpha particle to form uranium 235, and that is fissionable with slow neutrons to yield atomic energy — see element table
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Origin of PLUTONIUM
New Latin, from Pluton-, Pluto, the planet Pluto
PLUTONIUM Defined for Kids
plutonium
noun plu·to·ni·um \plü-ˈtō-nē-əm\
Definition of PLUTONIUM for Kids
: a radioactive metallic chemical element formed from neptunium and used for releasing atomic energy
Medical Dictionary
plutonium
noun plu·to·ni·um \plü-ˈtō-nē-əm\
Medical Definition of PLUTONIUM
: a radioactive metallic element similar chemically to uranium that is formed as the isotope 239 by decay of neptunium and found in minute quantities in pitchblende, that undergoes slow disintegration with the emission of an alpha particle to form uranium 235, and that is fissionable with slow neutrons to yield atomic energy—symbol Pu; see element table
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