mendelevium: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Scientific/Technical
Quick answer
What does “mendelevium” mean?
A synthetic, radioactive chemical element (symbol Md, atomic number 101) in the actinide series.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A synthetic, radioactive chemical element (symbol Md, atomic number 101) in the actinide series.
A man-made element produced by bombarding lighter elements with accelerated particles; it has no stable isotopes and is primarily of research interest in nuclear chemistry and physics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, spelling, or pronunciation between British and American English. The element name is international scientific vocabulary.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, identical specialist frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “mendelevium” in a Sentence
[Element] Mendelevium was discovered in 1955.The researchers synthesized [amount] of mendelevium.Mendelevium-258 has a half-life of [time].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Used in advanced chemistry, physics, and history of science publications and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in nuclear chemistry, radiochemistry, and periodic table discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mendelevium”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mendelevium”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mendelevium”
- Misspelling as 'mendeleviam' or 'mendelevum'.
- Incorrectly classifying it as a naturally occurring element.
- Pronouncing it as /mɛnˈdɛləvɪəm/ (stress on second syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, mendelevium is a synthetic element and does not occur naturally. It is produced artificially in particle accelerators or nuclear reactors.
It has no practical applications outside of basic scientific research due to its rarity, radioactivity, and the difficulty of producing it in weighable amounts.
It was first identified by a team of American scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1955.
It was named in honor of Dmitri Mendeleev, the Russian chemist who created the periodic table of elements.
A synthetic, radioactive chemical element (symbol Md, atomic number 101) in the actinide series.
Mendelevium is usually scientific/technical in register.
Mendelevium: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛndəˈleɪviəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛndəˈleɪviəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MENDELEEV (the chemist) + IUM (element ending). Mendelevium is the element named after Dmitri Mendeleev.
Conceptual Metaphor
SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT AS COMMEMORATION (the element is a monument to Mendeleev's work).
Practice
Quiz
What is the atomic number of mendelevium?