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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
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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about silver iodide
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