Definition

A unit of measurement for exposure to ionizing radiation, named after the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen, who discovered X-rays.

Example

The doctor used a roentgen to check for broken bones in the patient's arm.

Conversation

Did you know that the discovery of x-rays was credited to Roentgen?

Yeah, I heard he was a really influential physicist.

It's amazing how one person's work can change medicine so much, right?

Absolutely! Roentgen's contributions are still so important today.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Röntgen is derived from the name of Wilhelm Röntgen, a German physicist who discovered X-rays. The term itself does not have a Latin or Greek root but is a proper noun that has been adopted into English to refer to the unit of measurement for exposure to ionizing radiation, named in his honor.

Memory Tip

Think of Wilhelm Röntgen, the scientist who discovered X-rays, to remember that 'Röntgen' refers to the measurement of radiation exposure.

Visually Confused Words