fermion

noun

fer·​mi·​on ˈfer-mē-ˌän 

ˈfər-

: a particle (such as an electron, proton, or neutron) whose spin quantum number is an odd multiple of ½ compare boson

fermionic

ˌfer-mē-ˈä-nik 

ˌfər-

adjective

Examples of fermion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Pauli exclusion principle prevents identical fermions from occupying the same quantum state. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026

Six quarks, six leptons, and antiparticles comprise the fermions. — Big Think, 27 Apr. 2026

Still, the team says their fermion dark matter model can account for this. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2026

And fermions need not be fundamental particles; in materials, there are groups of electrons that collectively obey the same exclusionary math, like the configurations known as Majorana fermions that might someday power quantum computers. — Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 23 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Enrico Fermi + English -on entry 2

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above