nanoparticle

noun

nano·​par·​ti·​cle ˈna-nə-ˌpär-ti-kəl How to pronounce nanoparticle (audio)
ˈna-nō-
: a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometers

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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

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Tests have shown that the sperm-nanoparticle clusters remain biocompatible, causing no significant toxicity to human uterine cells even after 72 hours of exposure. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025 Injecting a plant with nanoparticles instead of editing its genes allowed the researchers to create plants that glow red, blue and green. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025 Researchers at South China Agricultural University in the city of Guangzhou have found a way to upgrade them into soft glowing night lights in a range of hues, with the use of nanoparticles. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025 The company’s technology uses nanoparticles that mimic a part of the influenza virus that is common across multiple strains, in the hopes of building immunity against many different types of flu with a single shot. Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nanoparticle

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nanoparticle was in 1983

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Cite this Entry

“Nanoparticle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nanoparticle. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

nanoparticle

noun
nano·​par·​ti·​cle -ˌpärt-i-kəl How to pronounce nanoparticle (audio)
: a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometers
drugs bound to biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles

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