Main Entry: spin

Pronunciation: \ˈspin\

Function: noun

1 : a quantum characteristic of an elementary particle that is visualized as the rotation of the particle on its axis and that is responsible for measurable angular momentum and magnetic moment
2 : the angular momentum which is associated with spin, whose magnitude is quantized, and which may assume either of two possible directions ; also : the angular momentum of a system of elementary particles derived from their spins and orbital motions—see spin echo, spin label