positron

noun

pos·​i·​tron ˈpä-zə-ˌträn 

: a positively charged particle having the same mass and magnitude of charge as the electron and constituting the antiparticle of the electron

called also antielectron

Examples of positron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The other part of the research involves using a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, a live imaging system to monitor living cell therapies. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

For example, the electron and positron differ only in charge, and the electron and the muon differ only in mass. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024

Most antimatter particles created in particle accelerators have been fairly simple: anti-protons, positrons, anti-tritium and anti-helium — that sort of thing. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2024

No material is more volatile than antimatter, which is made of particles of equal mass but opposite charge to normal matter, so things like anti-protons and positrons, which are the antimatter version of electrons. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

positive + -tron (as in electron)

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing positron

• positron-emission tomography

Rhymes for positron

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• chitosan
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon

Kids Definition

positron

noun

pos·​i·​tron ˈpäz-ə-ˌträn 

: a positively charged particle having the same mass and size of charge as the electron

Medical Definition

positron

noun

pos·​i·​tron ˈpäz-ə-ˌträn 

: a positively charged particle having the same mass and magnitude of charge as the electron and constituting the antiparticle of the electron

called also positive electron