annihilation radiation

noun

: radiation produced by the mutually annihilating coalescence of a particle and its antiparticle from which two radiation quanta travel in opposite directions with a wavelength corresponding to that of very short gamma rays, being approximately 0.024 angstrom

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of annihilation radiation was in 1935

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near annihilation radiation

Cite this Entry

“Annihilation radiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annihilation%20radiation. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!