Word
tritium
Phoneticstri·tium
US/ˈtɹɪtiəm/
UK/tɹˈaɪtiəm/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a rare form of hydrogen that gives off radiation. Scientists use it in nuclear research and in some signs that glow without electricity.
n. a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with one proton and two neutrons, decaying by beta emission with a half-life of about 12.3 years. Occurs in trace amounts naturally and is produced artificially for fusion research, luminous devices and scientific tracers.
Examples
“Tritium makes some emergency signs glow in the dark.”
“The laboratory stores tritium in sealed steel containers to prevent leaks during fusion experiments.”
“Because tritium decays relatively quickly, researchers must account for its declining concentration when calibrating long-term environmental tracers in ocean circulation models.”
Examples
simple
“Tritium makes some emergency signs glow in the dark.”
contextual
“The laboratory stores tritium in sealed steel containers to prevent leaks during fusion experiments.”
complex
“Because tritium decays relatively quickly, researchers must account for its declining concentration when calibrating long-term environmental tracers in ocean circulation models.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “tritium” in context.
Verb
01. breed tritium
“Future fusion plants must breed tritium from lithium blankets.”
verb + noun
02. detect tritium
“Inspectors use liquid scintillation to detect tritium in groundwater.”
verb + noun
03. monitor tritium
“The agency continues to monitor tritium around the decommissioned plant.”
verb + noun
04. produce tritium
“Heavy-water reactors produce tritium as an unwanted by-product.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. anthropogenic tritium
“Most anthropogenic tritium in the ocean comes from nuclear reprocessing plants.”
adj + noun
06. atmospheric tritium
“Scientists measured atmospheric tritium to trace global water circulation.”
adj + noun
07. radioactive tritium
“The facility is licensed to store small amounts of radioactive tritium.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. inventory of tritium
“Operators maintain a strict inventory of tritium for non-proliferation audits.”
noun + prep + noun
09. level of tritium
“The level of tritium in the well remains well below safety limits.”
noun + prep + noun
10. release of tritium
“The accidental release of tritium prompted an evacuation review.”
noun + prep + noun
11. half-life of tritium
“Because of the short half-life of tritium, exit signs must be replaced regularly.”
12. organically bound tritium
“Researchers distinguish organically bound tritium from tritiated water in crops.”
Real-World Examples
“Although nuclear fusion technology is still in its developmental phase, it is already facing a significant deficiency of tritium, a crucial fuel source for leading reactors.” “The removal of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of water containing tritium, a relatively harmless radioactive isotope left behind in treated water is one of many issues facing Tokyo Electric as it tries to cleanup the wrecked plant.” “The problem is being caused by a radioactive element of hydrogen called tritium, which can't be removed from the contaminated water because there is no technology to do it.” Etymology
Borrowed from New Latin tritium, from Ancient Greek τρίτος (trítos, “third”) + New Latin -ium.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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