positron
noun
pos·i·tron
ˈpä-zə-ˌträn 
: a positively charged particle having the same mass and magnitude of charge as the electron and constituting the antiparticle of the electron
called also antielectron
Examples of positron in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Antimatter — specifically the positron (anti-electron) — was proposed by Dirac in 1929 and discovered in 1932.
—
Big Think, 23 Feb. 2026
Neutron stars also have some of the strongest magnetic fields known in the universe — up to 10 trillion times the power of a refrigerator magnet, and enough turn gamma rays into electrons and positrons in a way manmade particle accelerators cannot hope to do, NASA explained.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
That was because gamma-ray photons, individual particles of light, were rapidly transformed into pairs of electrons and positrons.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Positronium is a short-lived, neutral atom-like system made of an electron and its antimatter counterpart, a positron.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for positron
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.
Big Think, 23 Feb. 2026
Neutron stars also have some of the strongest magnetic fields known in the universe — up to 10 trillion times the power of a refrigerator magnet, and enough turn gamma rays into electrons and positrons in a way manmade particle accelerators cannot hope to do, NASA explained.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
That was because gamma-ray photons, individual particles of light, were rapidly transformed into pairs of electrons and positrons.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Positronium is a short-lived, neutral atom-like system made of an electron and its antimatter counterpart, a positron.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for positron
Cite this Entry
“Positron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/positron. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
positron
noun
pos·i·tron
ˈpäz-ə-ˌträn
: a positively charged particle having the same mass and size of charge as the electron
Medical Definition
positron
noun
pos·i·tron
ˈpäz-ə-ˌträn
: a positively charged particle having the same mass and magnitude of charge as the electron and constituting the antiparticle of the electron
called also positive electron
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
