particle

noun

par·​ti·​cle ˈpär-ti-kəl How to pronounce particle (audio)
1
a
: a minute quantity or fragment
b
: a relatively small or the smallest discrete portion or amount of something
2
archaic : a clause or article of a composition or document
3
: any of the basic units of matter and energy (such as a molecule, atom, proton, electron, or photon)
4
: a unit of speech expressing some general aspect of meaning or some connective or limiting relation and including the articles, most prepositions and conjunctions, and some interjections and adverbs
the particle up has a perfective meaning in phrases such as beat up and cut up
5
: a small eucharistic wafer distributed to a Roman Catholic layman at Communion

Examples of particle in a Sentence

There is not a particle of evidence to support their claim. There is not a particle of truth in what he said. The phrasal verb “look up” consists of the verb “look” and the adverbial particle “up.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a new paper, researchers report that sPHENIX measured both the number and energy of particles produced when gold ions smashed together at nearly light speed. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025 The inner activated carbon filter catches invisible particles and helps to neutralize odors from cooking, pets, smoke, or your teenager’s gym bag. Maggie Horton, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Exposure to particle pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease, cause asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and increase risk of respiratory infections. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025 The thick layers of titanium act as a shield for the electronics, the same way that lead is used for shielding from X-rays and high-energy particles here on Earth. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for particle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin particula, from diminutive of part-, pars

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of particle was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Particle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/particle. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

particle

noun
par·​ti·​cle ˈpärt-i-kəl How to pronounce particle (audio)
1
: one of the very small parts of matter (as a molecule, atom, or electron)
2
: a very small quantity or piece
3
: the smallest possible portion

Medical Definition

particle

noun
par·​ti·​cle ˈpärt-i-kəl How to pronounce particle (audio)
1
: one of the minute subdivisions of matter (as an atom or molecule)
2
: a minute quantity or fragment

More from Merriam-Webster on particle

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