Radon is a radioactive element in the form of a gas.
radon in British English
(ˈreɪdɒn)
noun
a colourless radioactive element of the rare gas group, the most stable isotope of which, radon-222, is a decay product of radium. It is used as an alpha particle source in radiotherapy. Symbol: Rn; atomic no: 86; half-life of 222Rn: 3.82 days; valency: 0; density: 9.73 kg/m3; melting pt: –71°C; boiling pt: –61.7°C
Word origin
C20: from radium + -on
radon in American English
(ˈreɪˌdɑn)
noun
a radioactive, gaseous chemical element, one of the noble gases, formed, together with alpha rays, as a first product in the atomic disintegration of radium: symbol, Rn; at. no.,86