: an uncharged elementary particle that has a mass nearly equal to that of the proton and is present in all known atomic nuclei except the hydrogen nucleus
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In addition, inherent design flaws contributed to the disaster, notably the graphite end switches of the neutron-absorbing rods.
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Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
But for the weightier version, at least one of those hydrogen atoms is a heavier isotope such as deuterium—which, unlike a typical hydrogen atom, has one neutron.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
Deuterated water refers to water in which one hydrogen atom is replaced with deuterium, a heavy hydrogen isotope that has an atomic nucleus composed of one proton and one neutron.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Another experimental variation in 2016 involved replacing the electron with a muon in a deuterium atom—a heavier isotope of hydrogen, with a neutron as well as a proton and an electron.
—ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2026
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Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
But for the weightier version, at least one of those hydrogen atoms is a heavier isotope such as deuterium—which, unlike a typical hydrogen atom, has one neutron.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
Deuterated water refers to water in which one hydrogen atom is replaced with deuterium, a heavy hydrogen isotope that has an atomic nucleus composed of one proton and one neutron.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Another experimental variation in 2016 involved replacing the electron with a muon in a deuterium atom—a heavier isotope of hydrogen, with a neutron as well as a proton and an electron.
—ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for neutron
Cite this Entry
“Neutron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutron. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
neutron
noun
neu·tron
ˈn(y)ü-ˌträn 
: an uncharged atomic particle that has a mass nearly equal to that of the proton and is present in all known atomic nuclei except the hydrogen nucleus
Medical Definition
neutron
noun
neu·tron
ˈn(y)ü-ˌträn
: an uncharged elementary particle that has a mass nearly equal to that of the proton and is present in all known atomic nuclei except the hydrogen nucleus
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