elementary particle

NOUN

basic constituent of matter

Synonyms

WEAK

atomic particle fundamental particle subatomic particle ultraelementary particle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Researchers believe it is composed of a still-undetected type of elementary particle.

From Science Daily • Oct. 14, 2025

Answering these questions is the work of elementary particle physics.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2023

Much of the production’s overall character came from the vibrancy of South Africa, and particularly the extraordinary dancer Dada Masilo, who mirrored Kentridge’s purpose, in part, by becoming the manifestation of a supercharged elementary particle.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2017

Electric charge is conserved in nuclear and elementary particle reactions, even when elementary particles are produced or destroyed.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Our familiar universe of galaxies and stars, planets and people, would be a single elementary particle in the next universe up, the first step of another infinite regress.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan