millicurie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Historical
Quick answer
What does “millicurie” mean?
A unit of radioactivity equal to one thousandth of a curie.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of radioactivity equal to one thousandth of a curie.
A historical measurement for the intensity of radioactive decay, still occasionally referenced in older technical literature but largely superseded by the becquerel in modern scientific use.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences. The unit is standardized internationally.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries the same technical/scientific connotation, often with a slight historical nuance.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Its use is confined to historical, medical, or certain engineering/regulatory texts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “millicurie” in a Sentence
A [millicurie] of [substance]An activity of [number] millicuriesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “millicurie” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The millicurie source was carefully shielded.
American English
- They disposed of a millicurie-level source.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical or legacy contexts within physics, nuclear engineering, and medical radiation literature.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would likely cause confusion.
Technical
The primary context. Used in technical documentation, safety protocols for older equipment, and when discussing historical data.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “millicurie”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “millicurie”
- Misspelling as 'milicurie' or 'milacurie'.
- Confusing it with 'millisievert' (a unit of radiation dose, not activity).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The SI unit for radioactivity is the becquerel (Bq). One millicurie (mCi) equals 37 megabecquerels (MBq).
In historical scientific papers, older medical radiation therapy protocols, and some legacy regulatory frameworks for radioactive materials.
The hazard depends entirely on the type of radiation emitted, the energy, and the proximity to the source. It is a measurable quantity that requires proper handling and shielding, as defined by radiation safety regulations.
A millicurie measures the activity (rate of decay) of a radioactive source. A millisievert measures the biological dose effect of absorbed radiation on human tissue. They are different physical quantities.
A unit of radioactivity equal to one thousandth of a curie.
Millicurie is usually technical/historical in register.
Millicurie: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪlɪˈkjʊəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪlɪˈkjʊri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MILLIgram is a thousandth of a gram; MILLIcurie is a thousandth of a curie.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY AS CONTAINER (e.g., 'a millicurie of radium').
Practice
Quiz
What does one millicurie represent?