radiolabel
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˈreɪdiˌoʊˌleɪbəl/
KK: /ˈreɪdiˌoʊˌleɪbəl/
noun
Definition
A radioactive substance that is used to track or trace processes in scientific experiments or medical tests.
Example
The researchers used a radiolabel to track the movement of the drug in the body.
Conversation
Have you ever heard of using a radiolabel in experiments?
Yeah, I think it's a method to track substances in the body, right?
Exactly! It helps scientists see where things go during a study.
That sounds fascinating; I’d love to learn more about how they use it.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
tracer
isotope
marker
Antonyms
nonradioactive
stable
inert
transitive verb
Definition
To mark a substance with a radioactive label so that it can be tracked or studied in experiments.
Example
Scientists often radiolabel compounds to observe their behavior in biological systems.
Tense Forms
Past: radiolabeled
Past Participle: radiolabeled
Conversation
Did you hear about the new experiment they're doing in the lab?
Yeah, I heard they plan to radiolabel some enzymes to track their activity.
That sounds interesting! I wonder how they choose which substances to radiolabel.
Root Explanation
Radiolabel → It is formed from "radio-" (from Latin "radius", meaning ray) and "label" (from Old French "label", meaning a small note or tag). The word "radiolabel" refers to a label that uses radioactive isotopes to trace or identify substances.
Memory Tip
Think of 'ray' ('radio-') and a 'tag' ('label') that helps identify something — that's what a radiolabel does.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.