mass spectrometry

noun

: an instrumental method for identifying the chemical constitution of a substance by means of the separation of gaseous ions according to their differing mass and charge

called also mass spectroscopy

mass spectrometric adjective
mass spectrometer noun

Examples of mass spectrometry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web During a drug test, urine samples are analyzed using mass spectrometry to identify and measure the presence of these metabolites. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2023 Laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma quadruple mass spectrometry can predict volcanic behavior. Will Stephenson, Harper's Magazine, 16 Aug. 2023 These labs employ various techniques such as mass spectrometry, which can accurately identify and quantify compounds present in the sample. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2023 When in oven mode, MOMA uses three chemical reagents that stabilize molecules to facilitate mass spectrometry. Carmen Drahl, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2023 These devices employ techniques like mass spectrometry or gas chromatography, providing accurate and instantaneous results. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2023 The authors tested the paintings with protein mass spectrometry: a technique that allows scientists to break a sample down into the proteins within. Rahul Rao, Popular Science, 25 May 2023 To find the answer, the researchers turned to mass spectrometry, a technique that can measure the mass of atomic isotopes. Saugat Bolakhe, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2023 Extracting the proteins and examining them with a process called mass spectrometry let Kraus and her team see how old the proteins were. Leslie Nemo, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2019 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mass spectrometry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mass spectrometry was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near mass spectrometry

Cite this Entry

“Mass spectrometry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mass%20spectrometry. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Medical Definition

mass spectrometry

noun
: an instrumental method for identifying the chemical constitution of a substance by means of the separation of gaseous ions according to their differing mass and charge

called also mass spectroscopy

mass spectrometric adjective
mass spectrometrically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on mass spectrometry

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