1. A radioactive chemical element (symbol Nt, atomic number 86) that is a colorless, odorless gas; the former name for radon.
Usage: archaic; chemistry; The term 'niton' was used before 'radon' became the standard name in the 1920s.

Examples

• Niton was the original name given to the element now known as radon.
• Early chemists referred to this noble gas as niton before the modern nomenclature was adopted.
• The discovery of niton contributed to the understanding of radioactive decay.
• In older chemistry textbooks, you may encounter the term niton used instead of radon.