par
ti
cle
Plural
particles
1
(physics) any of the smallest units that energy or matter consists of, such as electrons, atoms, molecules, etc.
- Electrons are fundamental particles with a negative electric charge.
- In chemistry, atoms are composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons, which are subatomic particles.
- The Large Hadron Collider is a powerful accelerator designed to study the behavior of subatomic particles.
- Particles like photons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior in quantum mechanics.
- Scientists study the movement and interactions of particles to understand the fundamental forces of nature.
Synonyms:
2
(grammar) an adverb or preposition that is used with a verb to form a phrasal verb
In linguistics, a particle is a small word that does not change form and is used to express a grammatical function rather than a specific meaning. Particles can help modify or clarify the role of other words in a sentence. In English, examples of particles include words like "to" in "to go" or "not" in "do not." Particles do not fit easily into other word categories like nouns, verbs, or adjectives, and they usually provide grammatical context, helping to form phrases, indicate negation, or show relationships between words.
- In the phrasal verb 'look up,' 'up' is a particle that changes the meaning of the verb 'look.'
- She carefully explained the function of each particle in the phrasal verb 'break down.
- Students were asked to identify the particle in each phrasal verb given in the exercise.
- Particles like 'off,' 'out,' and 'on' are commonly used in English phrasal verbs to indicate direction or action.
- Understanding the role of particles in phrasal verbs is essential for mastering English grammar.
3
a tiny, discrete unit of matter or substance that can range from subatomic particles like electrons and protons to larger particles like dust or sand grains
- Scientists study the behavior of particles in particle physics to understand the fundamental forces of nature.
- Pollen particles can trigger allergies in susceptible individuals during the spring season.
- The air quality monitor detects harmful particles such as smoke and pollutants in the atmosphere.
- Sand particles on the beach create patterns shaped by wind and water currents.
- Dust particles settled on the furniture, indicating the need for regular cleaning.