radiocarbon
n. uncountable C1 Advanced UK //ɹˌeɪdɪəʊkˈɑːbən// ra·dio·car·bon
n. a special form of carbon that scientists use to find out how old an object is. It is found in living things and disappears slowly after they die.
n. a radioactive isotope of carbon, specifically carbon-14, used in dating organic materials. It decays at a known rate, allowing researchers to determine the age of archaeological and geological samples.
Scientists use radiocarbon to date ancient bones.
The museum used radiocarbon dating to confirm that the wooden tools were over five thousand years old.
By measuring the remaining concentration of radiocarbon in a sample, researchers can calculate the time elapsed since the organism last absorbed carbon from the atmosphere.
From radio- + carbon.