nanoparticle

noun

nano·​par·​ti·​cle ˈna-nə-ˌpär-ti-kəl 

ˈna-nō-

: a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometers

Did you know?

Nanoparticles of a material usually have very different qualities from those that the material has at its ordinary scale, which is one reason why there's such excitement about the possibilities for how they might be used in future technologies. Many uses have already been developed. Aluminum nanoparticles added to rocket fuel can make the fuel burn twice as fast and release much more energy. Silicon nanoparticles are increasing the energy efficiency of solar cells by allowing the energy from ultraviolet light to be captured for the first time. Other nanoparticles are now helping prevent rust in metals, produce stronger batteries, enhance the diagnosis of cancer, and improve the filtering of water, and the number of other applications is growing fast.

Examples of nanoparticle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, his team found that oxalic acid may help gadolinium escape from the contrast agent and form nanoparticles. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 14 Apr. 2025

Once released, terpenes react with ozone in the air and form nanoparticles. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025

Magnets are then used to heat the nanoparticles to high temperatures, killing the cancer cells. —Alex Knapp, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

With slow pulsing, the nanoparticles forget their previous state more rapidly. —IEEE Spectrum, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nanoparticle

• article
• particle
• interparticle
• quasiparticle

Medical Definition

nanoparticle

noun

nano·​par·​ti·​cle -ˌpärt-i-kəl 

: a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometers

drugs bound to biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles