Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
⭐ Star-shaped ☢️ Radioactive elements
actinoid

actinoid

9.9
A group of radioactive elements like uranium and plutonium used in nuclear work
  • noun
  • /ˈæktɪnɔɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : actinoide
  • The actinoid series includes elements like uranium and plutonium.

Examples

  • The periodic table places all actinoids in a distinct row below the main body.

  • Scientists study the properties of actinoids to develop new types of nuclear fuel.

  • Plutonium is one of the most well-known actinoids used in the nuclear industry.

  • Many actinoids are used in nuclear reactors.

  • Plutonium is one of the most well-known actinoids used in the nuclear industry.

  • Scientists study the properties of actinoids to develop new types of nuclear fuel.

  • The periodic table places all actinoids in a distinct row below the main body.

Synonyms

actinide
vsactinoid
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A group of heavy radioactive elements like uranium and plutonium

is the same series but uses an alternate technical name
actinon
vsactinoid
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of radioactive metals including uranium and plutonium used in nuclear energy

is the same series but usually called by a different term

Surface Forms

actinoid singular
actinoids plural

Morphology

actinoid = actinium (semi-transparent) = actin + oid

Formed from the combining form actin- (relating to actinium/rays) plus the suffix -oid 'resembling', which signals a resemblance to actinium/actinides but requires chemistry knowledge.

Etymology

The word actinoid comes from the element name actinium, which in turn comes from the Greek aktis/aktinos meaning 'ray', because that element gives off strong rays. The ending -oid means 'resembling', so actinoid names the group of elements related to actinium, a 'ray'-giving series on the periodic table.