deuterium oxide: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low (Specialized/Scientific)Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “deuterium oxide” mean?
The chemical compound D₂O, water in which the usual hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium (a heavier isotope of hydrogen).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The chemical compound D₂O, water in which the usual hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium (a heavier isotope of hydrogen).
Often referred to as 'heavy water', used as a neutron moderator in nuclear reactors and in various scientific research applications.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or meaning.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse, used only in specialized contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “deuterium oxide” in a Sentence
deuterium oxide + verb (is used, acts as)verb + deuterium oxide (produce, purify, replace with)preposition + deuterium oxide (in deuterium oxide, with deuterium oxide)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “deuterium oxide” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The sample was deuterated, meaning hydrogen was replaced with deuterium to form deuterium oxide.
- They are deuterating the water to produce the oxide.
American English
- The lab deuterated the solvent to create deuterium oxide.
- The process deuterates regular water, converting it.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The deuterium oxide solution was carefully prepared.
- We need a deuterium oxide moderator for the reactor.
American English
- The deuterium oxide sample was highly pure.
- A deuterium oxide coolant system is in place.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in nuclear energy or specialized chemical manufacturing sectors.
Academic
Common in chemistry, physics, and nuclear engineering papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in nuclear technology, isotopic chemistry, and related research fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “deuterium oxide”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “deuterium oxide”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “deuterium oxide”
- Pronouncing 'deuterium' as /ˈduː.tər.i.əm/ (like 'deuteron') instead of /djuːˈtɪə.ri.əm/ or /duːˈtɪr.i.əm/.
- Confusing it with 'tritium oxide' (T₂O, 'super-heavy water').
- Using it as a synonym for all heavy water variants when it specifically refers to D₂O.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In small quantities, it is not highly toxic, but replacing a large proportion of the body's water with D₂O disrupts biological processes and can be harmful.
Its primary use is as a neutron moderator in certain types of nuclear reactors, as it slows neutrons efficiently while having a low probability of absorbing them.
It is chemically similar but physically different; deuterium oxide is about 11% denser, has a slightly higher boiling and melting point, and the deuterium atoms make it heavier at the molecular level.
Yes, it occurs naturally in trace amounts (about 1 molecule in 3,200) in regular water. Commercially, it is produced by concentrating these natural traces.
The chemical compound D₂O, water in which the usual hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium (a heavier isotope of hydrogen).
Deuterium oxide is usually technical/scientific in register.
Deuterium oxide: in British English it is pronounced /djuːˈtɪə.ri.əm ˈɒk.saɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /duːˈtɪr.i.əm ˈɑːk.saɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Deuterium Oxide = D₂O = 'Double-heavy' water (Deuterium is the 'heavier' hydrogen).
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Literal technical compound).
Practice
Quiz
What is the common name for deuterium oxide?