plutonium

noun ploo-toh-NYOM Rare

Usage Note

Plutonium is the radioactive transuranic element (atomic number 94) used in nuclear reactors and weapons. The word is identical to English and named after the planet Pluto, following the pattern of uranium (Uranus) and neptunium (Neptune). In French, it is always masculine and takes the definite article le plutonium in scientific writing.

Examples

"Le plutonium est très dangereux."

Natural Translation

Plutonium is very dangerous.

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