What does polonium mean?
Polonium is a chemical element whose most notable characteristic is its intense radioactivity. Identified by the symbol Po and atomic number 84, it belongs to group 16 of the periodic table, alongside oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium. Polonium has no stable isotopes, so samples consist entirely of radioactive forms that decay over time. The best-known is polonium-210, a relatively long-lived isotope that emits alpha particles and has been the subject of scientific, medical, forensic, and historical investigations. Its extreme radiotoxicity makes it hazardous when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed, although ordinary contact with a sealed source is not the same as exposure to its emitted radiation. Polonium was discovered in 1898 by Marie and Pierre Curie and was named by Marie Curie in honor of Poland, her native country. The word is therefore principally a technical term encountered in chemistry, radiology, toxicology, and accounts of notable criminal and political cases.
nounPolonium is a rare, highly radioactive chemical element with the symbol Po and atomic number 84. It has no stable isotopes, and its radioisotopes are studied chiefly for their extreme radioactivity.
- A rare, highly radioactive chemical element with the symbol Po and atomic number 84, having no stable isotopes.
"The laboratory detected trace amounts of polonium in the contaminated material."
"Scientists used polonium-210 in experiments to investigate the effects of radiation on biological tissue."
"The report concluded that the exposure resulted from polonium poisoning."
Polonium is normally used as a singular mass noun and has no distinct plural form in standard usage.
"The investigators tested the surface for polonium."
Marie Curie named polonium after Poland, her native country, shortly after its discovery in 1898.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does polonium come from?
Polonium was named in 1898 by Marie Curie after her native Poland. The name follows the established English form Poland, ultimately associated with Latin Polonia and a Slavic root meaning “field.” It belongs to the same naming family as Polish and Pole.
How polonium is actually used
In general use, polonium names the chemical element; individual radioactive forms are designated by mass number, such as polonium-210. Because of its extreme toxicity and radioactivity, the term is uncommon outside scientific, medical, forensic, and historical contexts.
Easily confused with polonium
Polonium has atomic number 84, whereas plutonium has atomic number 94; both are radioactive elements with similar-sounding names.