superposition

noun

su·​per·​po·​si·​tion ˌsü-pər-pə-ˈzi-shən 

plural superpositions

: the placement of one thing above or on top of another

The principle used to determine whether one sedimentary rock is older than another is very simple, and is known as the law of superposition. Here is an example: A deposit of mud laid down this year in, say, the Gulf of Mexico will rest on top of a layer that was deposited last year.

—Sheldon Judson and Marvin E. Kauffman

especially, physics : the combination of two distinct physical phenomena of the same type (such as spin or wavelength) so that they coexist as part of the same event

Schrödinger perversely suggested that until the box was opened and the outcome of the experiment observed, the particle must remain suspended in a superposition of two states: simultaneously going through both holes.

—George Johnson

In a quantum computer, however, the "transistors" remain in a superposition of 0 and 1 …

—Philip Yam

Examples of superposition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What if there was a way to process financial transactions at superluminal speeds—faster than the speed of light—without relying on the complex and energy-hungry models of blockchain mining or the speculative intricacies of string theory and quantum superposition? —Eric Solis, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Quantum states, such as superposition and entanglement, are fragile and easily disturbed by environmental noise. —Pramod Kumar, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

While traditional computers use bits that can be either 0 or 1, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously thanks to a phenomenon called superposition. —Bernard Marr, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024

The approach, known as Shor’s algorithm, relies on properties of quantum physics, such as superposition and entanglement, that are impossible with today’s classical computers. —Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above