quasiparticle

noun

qua·​si·​par·​ti·​cle ˌkwā-ˌzī-ˈpär-ti-kəl How to pronounce quasiparticle (audio)
-ˌsī-,
ˌkwä-zē-,
-sē-
: a composite entity (such as a vibration in a solid) that is analogous in its behavior to a single particle

Examples of quasiparticle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In conventional metals, electric current flows in the form of quasiparticles—ripples that move inside lattices of atoms much like particles zipping through space. IEEE Spectrum, 4 Jan. 2024 These findings suggest that electricity may indeed not exist as distinct quasiparticles in strange metals. IEEE Spectrum, 4 Jan. 2024 One way to see if electricity flows in fluid or quasiparticle form in strange metals is to focus on the phenomenon of shot noise—random fluctuations in an electric current that result from the way in which electricity normally consists of distinct chunks of charge. IEEE Spectrum, 4 Jan. 2024 The secret to its speed lies the behavior of phonons, quasiparticles formed from vibrations in a solid. IEEE Spectrum, 26 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for quasiparticle 

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quasiparticle was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near quasiparticle

Cite this Entry

“Quasiparticle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quasiparticle. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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