soliton

noun

sol·​i·​ton ˈsä-lə-ˌtän How to pronounce soliton (audio)
: a solitary wave (as in a gaseous plasma) that propagates with little loss of energy and retains its shape and speed after colliding with another such wave

Word History

Etymology

solitary + -on entry 2

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of soliton was in 1965

Dictionary Entries Near soliton

Cite this Entry

“Soliton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soliton. Accessed 2 Apr. 2023.

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