What does "plutonium" mean?
The transuranic chemical element with atomic number 94 and symbol Pu: a silvery-gray fissile radioactive actinide metal that tarnishes when exposed to air.
Plutonium
/pluːˈtoʊniəm/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The transuranic chemical element with atomic number 94 and symbol Pu: a silvery-gray fissile radioactive actinide metal that tarnishes when exposed to air.
- Grammar: plutonium is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: atomic number 94, element, isotope of plutonium, plutonium compound.
- Useful contrasts: nonisotopic plutonium, nonplutonium material, nonradioactive metal.
- Usage evidence: Plutonium-244 has a half-life of 80 million years.
How to use "plutonium"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "plutonium" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "plutonium" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "plutonium" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "plutonium" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "atomic number 94" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The transuranic chemical element with atomic number 94 and symbol Pu: a silvery-gray fissile radioactive actinide metal that tarnishes when exposed to air. uncountable, usually
"Plutonium? You mean this sucker's nuclear?"
- 2 a solid silvery grey radioactive transuranic element whose atoms can be split when bombarded with neutrons; found in minute quantities in uranium ores but is usually synthesized in nuclear reactors; 13 isotopes are known with the most important being plutonium 239 wordnet
- 3 Alternative form of ploutonion. alt-of, alternative, countable, historical, usually
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
nonisotopic plutoniumnonplutonium materialnonradioactive metalstable element
Example
"Plutonium-244 has a half-life of 80 million years."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "plutonium"?
Common synonyms include: atomic number 94, element, isotope of plutonium, plutonium compound, plutonium material, plutonium variant.
How do you use "plutonium" in a sentence?
Plutonium-244 has a half-life of 80 million years.
How do you pronounce "plutonium"?
Pronounced /pluːˈtoʊniəm/.
Etymology
After Pluto (dwarf planet) + -n- + -ium. More in Wikipedia at plutonium § History.