elementary particle

noun

: any of the particles of which matter and energy are composed or which mediate the fundamental forces of nature

especially : one whose existence has not been attributed to the combination of other more fundamental entities

Examples of elementary particle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fact that nature seems to obey the rules of quantum mechanics all the way down to elementary particles and beyond is now beyond doubt. —Vineer Bhansali, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

But why should space-time have such wild terrain, and only at the scale of elementary particles? —Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024

As a young man, Dr Heil was a physics graduate working in the field of elementary particles at the CERN in Switzerland. —Benny Har-Even, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024

While the Higgs tall tales suggest that mass arises from the slowing of elementary particles by a molasses-like substance, the truth is that a stronger Higgs field makes the elementary particles vibrate at higher frequencies, thus raising their masses. —Matt Strassler, Quanta Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

elementary particle

noun

: any of the particles (as electrons or photons) of matter and energy that are smaller than atoms and do not appear to be made up of a combination of more basic things

Medical Definition

elementary particle

noun

1

: any of the particles of which matter and energy are composed or which mediate the fundamental forces of nature

especially : one (as the photon or the electron) whose existence has not been attributed to the combination of other more fundamental entities

2

: one of the structural units of mitochondrial cristae that are observable by the electron microscope usually as spheres or stalked spheres and are probably the seat of fundamental energy-producing reactions