deuterium
noun
deu·te·ri·um
dü-ˈtir-ē-əm 
also dyü-
: an isotope of hydrogen that has one proton and one neutron in its nucleus and that has twice the mass of ordinary hydrogen
—symbol D
called also heavy hydrogen
Examples of deuterium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This core component contains a gas such as deuterium and tritium that is encased in chemical explosives.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Jan. 2025
To scale up inertial fusion, engineers will need to develop lasers capable of repeatedly hitting a fusion fuel target, made of frozen deuterium and tritium, several times per second or so.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Unlike nuclear fission – which splits atoms and creates dangerous radioactive waste – fusion uses hydrogen isotopes (like tritium and deuterium) and produces helium as a harmless byproduct.
—New Atlas, 22 Dec. 2024
Both ordinary hydrogen and deuterium are lighter in weight, and can easily sputter away into space—but not equally: deuterium has a harder time breaking the bonds of Martian gravity due to the additional particle in its nucleus; light hydrogen streams right out.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 6 Sep. 2024
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Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Jan. 2025
To scale up inertial fusion, engineers will need to develop lasers capable of repeatedly hitting a fusion fuel target, made of frozen deuterium and tritium, several times per second or so.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Unlike nuclear fission – which splits atoms and creates dangerous radioactive waste – fusion uses hydrogen isotopes (like tritium and deuterium) and produces helium as a harmless byproduct.
—New Atlas, 22 Dec. 2024
Both ordinary hydrogen and deuterium are lighter in weight, and can easily sputter away into space—but not equally: deuterium has a harder time breaking the bonds of Martian gravity due to the additional particle in its nucleus; light hydrogen streams right out.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deuterium
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Cite this Entry
“Deuterium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deuterium. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deuterium
noun
deu·te·ri·um
d(y)ü-ˈtir-ē-əm
: the hydrogen isotope that is twice the mass of ordinary hydrogen
called also heavy hydrogen
Medical Definition
deuterium
noun
deu·te·ri·um
d(y)ü-ˈtir-ē-əm
: an isotope of hydrogen that has one proton and one neutron in its nucleus and that has twice the mass of ordinary hydrogen
called also heavy hydrogen
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