uranium

uranium

 [u-ra´ne-um]

a chemical element, atomic number 92, atomic weight 238.03, symbol U. (See Appendix 6.)

u·ra·ni·um (U),

(yū-rā'nē-ŭm),

A radioactive metallic element, atomic no. 92, atomic wt. 238.0289, occurring mainly in pitchblende and notable for its two isotopes: ²³⁸U and ²³⁵U (99.2745% and 0.720%, respectively, the rest being made up by ²³⁴U), ²³⁵U being the first substance ever shown capable of supporting a self-sustaining chain reaction.

[G. myth. character, Uranus]

uranium

/ura·ni·um/ (u-ra´ne-um) a chemical element, at. no. 92, symbol U.

uranium (U)

[yo̅o̅rā′nē·əm]

Etymology: planet Uranus

a heavy, radioactive metallic element. Its atomic number is 92; its atomic mass is 238.03. Uranium is the heaviest of the natural elements. Isotopes of uranium are used in nuclear power plants to provide neutrons for the nuclear reactions that result in release of energy. Uranium compounds have been used to impart an orange color to glass.

u·ra·ni·um

(U) (yŭr-ā'nē-ŭm)

A radioactive metallic element, atomic no. 92, atomic wt. 238.0289, occurring mainly in pitchblende and notable for its two isotopes: ²³⁸U and ²³⁵U (99.2745% and 0.720%, respectively, the rest being made up by ²³⁴U), ²³⁵U being the first substance ever shown capable of supporting a self-sustaining chain reaction.

[G. myth. character, Uranus]

uranium (y·rāˑ·nē·m),

n a radioactive metal element naturally occurring in pitchblende and uraninite; prolonged exposure to uranium dust is linked to lung cancer in humans.

uranium (U),

n a heavy, radioactive metallic element. Its atomic number is 92 and its atomic weight is 238.0289. Uranium is the heaviest of the natural elements. Isotopes of uranium are used in nuclear power plants to provide neutrons for nuclear reactions that result in release of energy.

uranium

a chemical element, atomic number 92, atomic weight 238.03, symbol U. See Table 6.