lambda

noun

lamb·​da ˈlam-də 

1

: the 11th letter of the Greek alphabet see Alphabet Table

2

: an uncharged unstable elementary particle that has a mass 2183 times that of an electron and that decays typically into a nucleon and a pion

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Greek, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew lāmedh lamed

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lambda

noun

lamb·​da ˈlam-də 

: the eleventh letter of the Greek alphabet

—Λ or λ

Medical Definition

lambda

noun

lamb·​da ˈlam-də 

1

: the point of junction of the sagittal and lambdoid sutures of the skull

2

: bacteriophage lambda