neutrino

noun

neu·​tri·​no nü-ˈtrē-(ˌ)nō 

nyü-

plural neutrinos

: an uncharged elementary particle that is believed to have a very small mass, that has any of three forms, and that interacts only rarely with other particles

neutrinoless

nü-ˈtrē-(ˌ)nō-ləs 

nyü-

adjective

Examples of neutrino in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This liquid will produce flashes of light when neutrinos collide with matter, which are detected by an array of 43,200 photomultiplier tubes. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

In addition, a new type of neutrino has been hypothesized as a companion to the Standard Model neutrino: the sterile neutrino. —Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2022

At lower mass ranges, particles called neutrinos that sail through normal matter can knock into detectors, imitating and overwhelming dark matter signals. —Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2024

Many researchers say the future of U.S. particle physics depends on a huge experiment, under construction, to shoot neutrinos from Fermilab in Illinois to a huge subterranean detector 1300 kilometers away in South Dakota. —Byadrian Cho, science.org, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from neutro neutral, neuter, from Latin neutr-, neuter

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

neutrino

noun

neu·​tri·​no n(y)ü-ˈtrē-nō 

plural neutrinos

: an uncharged elementary particle believed to have little or no mass

Medical Definition

neutrino

noun

neu·​tri·​no n(y)ü-ˈtrē-(ˌ)nō 

plural neutrinos

: an uncharged elementary particle that is believed to be massless or to have a very small mass, that has any of three forms, and that interacts only rarely with other particles