silver iodide

noun

: a compound AgI that darkens on exposure to light and is used in photography, rainmaking, and medicine

Examples of silver iodide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The agency also pointed to multiple studies that have been published over several decades, showing that the level of silver iodide used in cloud seeding is not toxic to humans and 1,000 times lower than the Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water standards. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024 The experiment, which could take place as early as next week, would introduce chemicals like silver iodide into a cloudy sky to create rain and, it’s hoped, wash away the fine particulate matter hovering over one of the world’s largest cities. WIRED, 13 Nov. 2023 Weather modification, also known as cloud seeding, involves injecting microscopic particles of silver iodide into the atmosphere to prompt snow and rain, easing severe droughts. The Week Staff, The Week, 4 Sep. 2023 From 1967 to 1972 the U.S. Air Force dabbled in weather-control warfare over Vietnam and Laos; in a highly classified effort called Operation Popeye, several aircraft flew daily missions to spray lead and silver iodide powder into monsoon clouds. Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023 Mexico’s project involves spraying silver iodide particles into clouds from planes. Laura Paddison, CNN, 2 Aug. 2023 Cloud-seeding airplanes use flares mounted to the wings and belly of the plane to inject clouds with silver iodide particles. Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2023 Once the chemicals are injected, the air temperature must reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit—then water vapor begins to freeze around the silver iodide, getting big enough to fall to the ground as rain or snow. Eric Niller, WSJ, 23 June 2023 The silver iodide condenses the existing moisture in clouds, causing the water molecules to fall as snow or rain. Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'silver iodide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silver iodide was in 1878

Dictionary Entries Near silver iodide

Cite this Entry

“Silver iodide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silver%20iodide. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

silver iodide

noun
: a compound that darkens when exposed to light and is used in photography, rainmaking, and medicine

Medical Definition

silver iodide

noun
: a compound AgI that darkens on exposure to light and is used in medicine as a local antiseptic

More from Merriam-Webster on silver iodide

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