radioactive

[ rey-dee-oh-ak-tiv ]

adjective

1. Physics, Chemistry. of, relating to, exhibiting, or caused by radioactivity:

   A pressing issue in post-Soviet Russia is safe long-term storage of radioactive waste, from both military and civilian applications.

2. relating to or being a person, topic, or matter that is likely to provoke intense negative reactions or disagreement:

   The option of raising taxes to fund these expenditures is a politically radioactive approach that a majority of state policymakers have avoided.

radioactive

/ ˌreɪdɪəʊˈæktɪv /

adjective

1. exhibiting, using, or concerned with radioactivity

radioactive

1. A descriptive term for a material made up of atoms in which radioactivity occurs.

Derived Forms

• ˌradioˈactively, adverb

Other Words From

• ra·di·o·ac·tive·ly adverb
• non·ra·di·o·ac·tive adjective
• un·ra·di·o·ac·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of radioactive¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; radio- + active

Example Sentences

The method is based upon the fact that the percentage of radioactive carbon in the atmosphere, and subsequently in our cells, has steadily decreased since the nuclear test ban in 1963.

From Science Daily

Survivors in their 80s say many of them and their children have suffered cancers, genetic defects and other illnesses that must be linked to radioactive fall-out.

From BBC

Concerns over safety, cost, and what to do with radioactive waste had sapped enthusiasm for a technology once seen as a revolutionary source of abundant cheap energy.

From BBC

After 70 years of atomic power, there is still disagreement over what to do with the accumulated radioactive waste - some of which will remain hazardous for hundreds of thousands of years.

From BBC

And that fear seemed to be justified by the Chernobyl disaster, which spread radioactive contamination across Europe in early 1986.

From BBC

Related Words

• contaminated
• dangerous
• hot