nucleon
noun
nu·cle·on
ˈnü-klē-ˌän 
ˈnyü-
1
: a proton or neutron especially in the atomic nucleus
2
: a hypothetical single entity with one-half unit of isospin that can manifest itself as either a proton or a neutron
Examples of nucleon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the same time, certain ‘magic numbers’ of nucleons, whether protons or neutrons, lead to particularly stable configurations.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
It’s made up of a central nucleus consisting of protons and neutrons, called nucleons, with electrons orbiting around the nucleus.
—Artemis Spyrou, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024
Beyond that, effective quantum equations, built with elementary degrees of freedom among nucleons and QCD-consistent potentials, are used to explain and explore the properties of light nuclei up to A = 14.
—Aaron Shattuck, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
Instead, at these scales, a new effective force emerges—the strong nuclear force, transmitted between nucleons by the exchange of pions.
—WIRED, 10 Aug. 2023
Instead, at these scales, a new effective force emerges — the strong nuclear force, transmitted between nucleons by the exchange of pions.
—Katie McCormick, Quanta Magazine, 12 June 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
It’s made up of a central nucleus consisting of protons and neutrons, called nucleons, with electrons orbiting around the nucleus.
—Artemis Spyrou, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024
Beyond that, effective quantum equations, built with elementary degrees of freedom among nucleons and QCD-consistent potentials, are used to explain and explore the properties of light nuclei up to A = 14.
—Aaron Shattuck, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
Instead, at these scales, a new effective force emerges—the strong nuclear force, transmitted between nucleons by the exchange of pions.
—WIRED, 10 Aug. 2023
Instead, at these scales, a new effective force emerges — the strong nuclear force, transmitted between nucleons by the exchange of pions.
—Katie McCormick, Quanta Magazine, 12 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Nucleon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nucleon. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
nucleon
noun
nu·cle·on
ˈn(y)ü-klē-ˌän
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share