: an uncharged elementary particle that has a mass nearly equal to that of the proton and is present in all known atomic nuclei except the hydrogen nucleus
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Most reactors of similar design slow down neutrons using materials like water or graphite (called moderators).
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
But if the mass of the collapsing star is between 1 and 3 solar masses, the neutrons can stop the star from collapsing further, and a neutron star remains, as explained by NASA.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Nobody really listens, of course, and the Doctor ends up destroying the Sea Devil base by reversing the polarity of the neutron flow, a trick that would go on to become one of the Time Lord's favorite party pieces.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2025
But the Big Bang theory predicts that about 5% of the universe’s contents should be atoms made of protons, neutrons and electrons.
—Chris Impey, The Conversation, 4 Dec. 2025
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Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
But if the mass of the collapsing star is between 1 and 3 solar masses, the neutrons can stop the star from collapsing further, and a neutron star remains, as explained by NASA.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Nobody really listens, of course, and the Doctor ends up destroying the Sea Devil base by reversing the polarity of the neutron flow, a trick that would go on to become one of the Time Lord's favorite party pieces.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2025
But the Big Bang theory predicts that about 5% of the universe’s contents should be atoms made of protons, neutrons and electrons.
—Chris Impey, The Conversation, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for neutron
Cite this Entry
“Neutron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutron. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
neutron
noun
neu·tron
ˈn(y)ü-ˌträn 
: an uncharged atomic particle that has a mass nearly equal to that of the proton and is present in all known atomic nuclei except the hydrogen nucleus
Medical Definition
neutron
noun
neu·tron
ˈn(y)ü-ˌträn
: an uncharged elementary particle that has a mass nearly equal to that of the proton and is present in all known atomic nuclei except the hydrogen nucleus
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