superposition

noun

su·​per·​po·​si·​tion ˌsü-pər-pə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce superposition (audio)
plural superpositions
: the placement of one thing above or on top of another
The principle used to determine whether one sedimentary rock is older than another is very simple, and is known as the law of superposition. Here is an example: A deposit of mud laid down this year in, say, the Gulf of Mexico will rest on top of a layer that was deposited last year.Sheldon Judson and Marvin E. Kauffman
especially, physics : the combination of two distinct physical phenomena of the same type (such as spin or wavelength) so that they coexist as part of the same event
Schrödinger perversely suggested that until the box was opened and the outcome of the experiment observed, the particle must remain suspended in a superposition of two states: simultaneously going through both holes. George Johnson
In a quantum computer, however, the "transistors" remain in a superposition of 0 and 1 … Philip Yam

Examples of superposition in a Sentence

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While most qubits are based on a single quantum object being placed in this sort of superposition of states, a cat qubit has a collection of objects in a single superposition. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 26 Feb. 2025 Unlike these classical bits, qubits (quantum bits) can exist in a superposition of states (both 0 and 1 simultaneously) and become entangled, enabling them to influence each other regardless of distance. David Joosten, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 But quantum computers can exploit quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement to compute these problems much faster, and a powerful enough machine should be able to break current encryption. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2024 Next Slide Interference When qubits in a state of superposition interact, this is called interference. Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for superposition

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of superposition was in 1656

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Cite this Entry

“Superposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superposition. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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