radiocarbon

noun

ra·​dio·​car·​bon ˌrā-dē-ō-ˈkär-bən How to pronounce radiocarbon (audio)
often attributive
: radioactive carbon
especially : carbon 14

Examples of radiocarbon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Inscribed sandstone fragments of Hole, Norway: radiocarbon dates provide insight into rune-stone traditions. University of Oslo. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025 Now housed in a museum, some of the remains have been radiocarbon dated to between A.D. 1222 and 1282. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 Elements associated with similar engravings in Wayne County, Utah, in the southern third of the state, have been radiocarbon dated by Colorado State University geomorphologist Joel Pederson to A.D. 1100, according to the Natural History Museum of Utah. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 30 Dec. 2024 Cosmic Onslaught Her team dissected tree rings from ancient wood samples, burned the cellulose — the main component of wood — to determine the radiocarbon content, and then compared the data to spikes in beryllium-10 found in ice cores from glaciers. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for radiocarbon 

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of radiocarbon was in 1936

Dictionary Entries Near radiocarbon

Cite this Entry

“Radiocarbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radiocarbon. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

radiocarbon

noun
ra·​dio·​car·​bon ˌrād-ē-ō-ˈkär-bən How to pronounce radiocarbon (audio)
: radioactive carbon
especially : carbon 14

Medical Definition

radiocarbon

noun
ra·​dio·​car·​bon ˌrād-ē-ō-ˈkär-bən How to pronounce radiocarbon (audio)
: radioactive carbon
especially : carbon 14
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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