physicist

noun phys·i·cist \ ˈfi-zə-sist , ˈfiz-sist \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of physicist

1 : a specialist in physics

2 archaic : a person skilled in natural science

See physicist defined for English-language learners

See physicist defined for kids

Recent Examples of physicist from the Web

Stephen Hawking, the British theoretical physicist who embraced the depth and complexities of life in his search for answers on the universe, was mourned Saturday at a private funeral service.

— kiara alfonseca /, NBC News, "Stephen Hawking laid to rest at funeral in Cambridge," 31 Mar. 2018
Stephen Hawking, the famed physicist from England who died on March 14 at age 76 after spending a lifetime studying the universe, will have his ashes interred near the scientific giants who came before him.

— jason duaine hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Stephen Hawking's Ashes Will Be Buried Near Graves of Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton," 21 Mar. 2018
Stephen Hawking, the great British physicist who died last week at age 76, also worked until the end.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Hawking’s final quest: saving quantum theory from black holes," 20 Mar. 2018
Professor Stephen Hawking, the theoretical physicist who died Wednesday at the age of 76, enthralled the world with his work and teachings on space, time, and the universe.

— eli meixler, Time, "'Remember to Look Up at the Stars.' Read Some of Stephen Hawking's Most Memorable Quotes," 14 Mar. 2018
Stephen Hawking, the British theoretical physicist who shed new light on the mysteries of the universe and made complicated scientific theories accessible to the public, died on Wednesday at the age of 76.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Pioneering Physicist Stephen Hawking Dies at 76," 14 Mar. 2018
Hawking’s Universe Stephen Hawking, the physicist who made complicated concepts accessible to the masses, has died at the age of 76.

— gerard baker, WSJ, "The 10-Point.," 14 Mar. 2018
Stephen Hawking, the British physicist whose body was chained to a wheelchair by the ravages of a degenerative neuromuscular disease, but whose mind soared to the boundaries of the universe and beyond, died Wednesday morning in Cambridge, England.

— thomas h. maugh ii, latimes.com, "Stephen Hawking, who redefined the view of the universe for scientists and public alike, dies at 76," 14 Mar. 2018
Stephen Hawking, the acclaimed British theoretical physicist, died on Wednesday at 76.

— anna codrea-rado, New York Times, "6 Memorable Cultural Moments Inspired by Stephen Hawking," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'physicist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of physicist

circa 1840

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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PHYSICIST Defined for English Language Learners

physicist

noun

Definition of physicist for English Language Learners

: a scientist who studies or is a specialist in physics

PHYSICIST Defined for Kids

physicist

noun phys·i·cist \ ˈfi-zə-səst \

Definition of physicist for Students

: a person specializing in physics

Medical Dictionary

physicist

noun phys·i·cist \ ˈfiz-(ə-)səst \

medical Definition of physicist

: a specialist in physics

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Spanish Central: Translation of physicist Nglish: Translation of physicist for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of physicist for Arabic speakers

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physicist

Definition of physicist

Recent Examples of physicist from the Web

First Known Use of physicist

PHYSICIST Defined for English Language Learners

physicist

Definition of physicist for English Language Learners

PHYSICIST Defined for Kids

physicist

Definition of physicist for Students

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physicist

medical Definition of physicist

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