isotropic

1 of 2

adjective

iso·​tro·​pic ˌī-sə-ˈtrō-pik How to pronounce isotropic (audio) -ˈträ- How to pronounce isotropic (audio)
: exhibiting properties (such as velocity of light transmission) with the same values when measured along axes in all directions
an isotropic crystal
isotropy
ī-ˈsä-trə-pē How to pronounce isotropic (audio)
noun

isotropy

2 of 2

noun

isot·​ro·​py
plural -es
: the quality or state of being isotropic

Examples of isotropic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
In other words, an isotropic Universe has no preferred direction. — Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026 In cosmology, a central tenet is that space must, on average, be homogeneous and isotropic. — James Geach, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2017 This may have been a form of punishment or sacrifice of the group's social outcasts, but isotropic analysis revealed otherwise. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025 The team also identified a recurring structural signature across all isotropic bandgap materials. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for isotropic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

iso- + -tropic

Noun

International Scientific Vocabulary isotropic + -y, noun suffix

First Known Use

Adjective

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of isotropic was in 1856

Rhymes for isotropic

See All Rhymes for isotropic

Browse Nearby Words

isotron
isotropic
isotropism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Isotropic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isotropic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

isotropic

adjective
iso·​tro·​pic ˌī-sə-ˈtrō-pik How to pronounce isotropic (audio) -ˈträp-ik How to pronounce isotropic (audio)
1
: exhibiting properties (as velocity of light transmission) with the same values when measured along axes in all directions
an isotropic crystal
2
: lacking predetermined axes
an isotropic egg
isotropy
ī-ˈsä-trə-pē How to pronounce isotropic (audio)
noun
plural isotropies
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