particle
noun
par·ti·cle
ˈpär-ti-kəl 
1
a
: a minute quantity or fragment
b
: a relatively small or the smallest discrete portion or amount of something
2
archaic
: a clause or article of a composition or document
3
: any of the basic units of matter and energy (such as a molecule, atom, proton, electron, or photon)
4
: a unit of speech expressing some general aspect of meaning or some connective or limiting relation and including the articles, most prepositions and conjunctions, and some interjections and adverbs
the particle up has a perfective meaning in phrases such as beat up and cut up
5
: a small eucharistic wafer distributed to a Roman Catholic layman at Communion
Synonyms
Examples of particle in a Sentence
There is not a particle of evidence to support their claim.
There is not a particle of truth in what he said.
The phrasal verb “look up” consists of the verb “look” and the adverbial particle “up.”
Recent Examples on the Web
While the triggers for the extreme cold at that time are debated, prevailing theories involve changes in tectonic plate activity, including the release of particles into the atmosphere that reflected sunlight away from Earth.
—
Liam Courtney-Davies, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
In fact, scientists suspect that the magnetosphere coaxes Triton’s energetic particles to cross over to Neptune’s atmosphere and excite auroral flares on the planet.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
There is always uncertainty about a prediction of displays of the aurora; experts only know the characteristics of a CME when its particles strike the sensors of the DSCOVR and ACE satellites, which orbit Earth about a million miles out.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
With the filters sampling four points on this spectrum, CODEX researchers can estimate its shape and work backward to calculate the temperature of the particles.
—Byhannah Richter, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for particle 
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Liam Courtney-Davies, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
In fact, scientists suspect that the magnetosphere coaxes Triton’s energetic particles to cross over to Neptune’s atmosphere and excite auroral flares on the planet.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
There is always uncertainty about a prediction of displays of the aurora; experts only know the characteristics of a CME when its particles strike the sensors of the DSCOVR and ACE satellites, which orbit Earth about a million miles out.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
With the filters sampling four points on this spectrum, CODEX researchers can estimate its shape and work backward to calculate the temperature of the particles.
—Byhannah Richter, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for particle
Dictionary Entries Near particle
Cite this Entry
“Particle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/particle. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
particle
noun
par·ti·cle
ˈpärt-i-kəl
1
: one of the very small parts of matter (as a molecule, atom, or electron)
2
: a very small quantity or piece
3
: the smallest possible portion
Medical Definition
particle
noun
par·ti·cle
ˈpärt-i-kəl
1
: one of the minute subdivisions of matter (as an atom or molecule)
also
: elementary particle
2
: a minute quantity or fragment
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