noun
Common
uranium
yuu-RAY-nee-uhm
Uranium (noun) means a heavy, silvery-grey radioactive metal (element 92), used as fuel in nuclear reactors and in nuclear weapons. Example: “Uranium is a heavy metal that occurs naturally in small amounts in rock and soil.”
noun
1
A heavy, silvery-grey radioactive metal (element 92), used as fuel in nuclear reactors and in nuclear weapons.
"Uranium is a heavy metal that occurs naturally in small amounts in rock and soil."
"The reactor is fuelled by enriched uranium."
"Uranium ore is mined and processed before it can be used as fuel."
How to use uranium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA radioactive metal best known as the fuel behind nuclear power and nuclear bombs.
Common pairings
enriched uranium
uranium ore
depleted uranium
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Word forms
- Plural
- uraniums, urania
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_____ is a heavy metal that occurs naturally in small amounts in rock and soil.
Etymology
Named in 1789 by the chemist Martin Klaproth after the planet Uranus, which had been discovered just a few years earlier.
Class of 1789
uranium joined the language around 1789.
See the full Class of 1789 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for uranium
See all rhymes for uranium →Frequently asked questions
What does “uranium” mean?
The word “uranium” means a heavy, silvery-grey radioactive metal (element 92), used as fuel in nuclear reactors and in nuclear weapons. In plain terms, a radioactive metal best known as the fuel behind nuclear power and nuclear bombs.
How do you pronounce “uranium”?
“Uranium” is pronounced yuu-RAY-nee-uhm (/ˌjuːˈɹeɪniəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “uranium” in a sentence?
Here is “uranium” used in a sentence: “The reactor is fuelled by enriched uranium.”
What part of speech is “uranium”?
“Uranium” is a noun.
Where does the word “uranium” come from?
The word “uranium” dates back to around 1789. Named in 1789 by the chemist Martin Klaproth after the planet Uranus, which had been discovered just a few years earlier.
Is “uranium” a common word?
“Uranium” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is uranium used for?
Uranium is a heavy, silvery-grey radioactive metal used as fuel in nuclear reactors to generate electricity, and it is also used in the production of nuclear weapons. Its radioactive properties make it central to both civilian energy production and military applications.
What is the difference between uranium and plutonium?
Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element, element 92 on the periodic table, while plutonium is typically produced artificially, often as a byproduct of nuclear reactors using uranium fuel. Both are used in nuclear reactors and weapons, but uranium is mined directly from the earth.
Why is uranium considered dangerous?
Uranium is radioactive, meaning it emits energy that can be harmful to living tissue with sufficient exposure, and its use in nuclear weapons makes it a material of significant security concern. Its role as reactor fuel also requires careful handling and storage due to radioactivity.
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