quantum jump

noun

1

: an abrupt transition (as of an electron, an atom, or a molecule) from one discrete energy state to another

2

: quantum leap

Examples of quantum jump in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The concept of a quantum jump has been around for more than a 100 years, with theoretical physicist Niels Bohr being the first to propose it in 1913. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026

Did Tyson do a quantum jump to conclusions without a physical exam or Santa’s medical records? — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2021

The connection can be weak, in which case a quantum jump can also be predictable through the pause in clicks from the qubit’s side activity, in the way used by the Yale experiment. — Eleni Petrakou, Scientific American, 29 Dec. 2020

The Uk can make a quantum jump to a square two squares above and one square to the left or right. — Quanta Magazine, 6 Feb. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for quantum jump

• bump
• chump
• clump
• crump
• dump
• gump
• hump
• lump
• plump
• pump
• rump
• slump