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 Today, the space agency announced that one of its spacecraft will attempt to grab some particles from a 20-meter-wide crater, called Nightingale, on the asteroid. Wes Davis, The Verge, 24 Sep. 2023 These particles have actual mass, unlike gamma rays, which are composed of weightless photons much like RF emissions. WIRED, 23 Sep. 2023 Environmental Protection Agency data show the mostly Black Tremé residents are being exposed to a daily dose of toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde and diesel particles that come from vehicles on the expressway. Mark Nichols, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2023 These minute particles slip through layers of lung tissue to enter blood vessels and affect major organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver. Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023 Because of environmental concerns with the asbestos and fiberglass particles in the air the Rosewood Apartments across the street from the warehouse were evacuated, fire officials said. Austindedios, oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023 Wetting the surface of a fossil or rock allows mineral particles and textures to stand out. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Sep. 2023 Novavax's vaccine, which uses tiny particles along with an adjuvant to amplify its effects, is likely to arrive later in the fall, because of its longer production time. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2023 The discrepancy could indicate that scientists are missing something, such as the presence of a unique particle or field that could be fouling some of the measurements. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 13 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'particle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near particle

Cite this Entry

“Particle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/particle. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

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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