quadrupole

noun

quad·​ru·​pole ˈkwä-drə-ˌpōl How to pronounce quadrupole (audio)
: a system composed of two dipoles of equal but oppositely directed moment

Examples of quadrupole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Scientists studied 20 common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) that were stranded in the IRL, using Triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (QqQ or TQMS). Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025 The global magnetic field also has quadrupole and octopole components, which make its actual geometry something like a playground jack with extra spikes. Adam Davidson, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2017 The Rio lab is equipped with several tandem systems, including one that utilizes quadrupoles—groups of four cylindrical metal rods. IEEE Spectrum, 25 July 2016

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary quadri- + pole

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quadrupole was in 1922

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Cite this Entry

“Quadrupole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quadrupole. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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