neutrino

noun

neu·​tri·​no nü-ˈtrē-(ˌ)nō 

nyü-

plural neutrinos

: an uncharged elementary particle that is believed to have a very small mass, that has any of three forms, and that interacts only rarely with other particles

neutrinoless

nü-ˈtrē-(ˌ)nō-ləs 

nyü-

adjective

Examples of neutrino in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Introduction The gallium anomaly, however, would point toward a lighter-weight sterile neutrino, with the electron neutrinos emitted by the radioactive source sometimes oscillating into a sterile neutrino that wouldn’t interact with the gallium. —Quanta Magazine, 12 July 2024

Each of those neutrinos (labeled as m1, m2, and m3) has its own mass, and certain combinations of those three masses of neutrinos give us the appearance of an electron-neutrino, or a muon-neutrino, or a tau neutrino. —Paul Sutter, Ars Technica, 11 June 2024

Inside the mile-deep mission to solve a key physics mystery The DUNE project will beam tiny neutrinos across vast distances. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

Additionally, the observatory detects light from neutrinos indirectly. —Amal Jos Chacko, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from neutro neutral, neuter, from Latin neutr-, neuter

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

neutrino

noun

neu·​tri·​no n(y)ü-ˈtrē-nō 

plural neutrinos

: an uncharged elementary particle believed to have little or no mass

Medical Definition

neutrino

noun

neu·​tri·​no n(y)ü-ˈtrē-(ˌ)nō 

plural neutrinos

: an uncharged elementary particle that is believed to be massless or to have a very small mass, that has any of three forms, and that interacts only rarely with other particles