noun
deuterium
dyoo-TEER-reerm
noun
1
A heavier form of hydrogen whose atoms contain a neutron as well as a proton.
"Deuterium is used to make heavy water for nuclear reactors."
How to Use Deuterium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA heavier variant of hydrogen used in nuclear science.
Common pairings
deuterium oxide
heavy water
Word Forms
deuteriums plural
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_____ is used to make heavy water for nuclear reactors.
Etymology
Coined by chemist Harold Urey from Greek deuteros ("second"), plus -ium.