a radioactive isotope of iodine, widely used in the treatment of thyroid conditions
radioiodine in American English
(ˌreidiouˈaiəˌdain, -dɪn, -ˌdin)
noun
Chemistry
any of nine radioisotopes of iodine, esp. iodine 131 and iodine 125, used as radioactive tracers in research and clinical diagnosis and treatment
Word origin
[1935–40; radio- + iodine]This word is first recorded in the period 1935–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: complementation, fluorocarbon, hard core, prime mover, unit trustradio- is a combining form with the meanings “dealing with radiant energy” (radiometer), “employing or dealing with radio waves” (radioacoustics; radiolocation; radiotelephone), “emitting rays as a result of the breakup of atomic nuclei” (radioactive; radiocarbon), “characterized by, employing or dealing with such rays” (radiography; radiopaque; radiotherapy)
Examples of 'radioiodine' in a sentence
radioiodine
She had an op to remove her thyroid, plus lumps in her throat and chest, and has ongoing radioiodine therapy.