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

soliterraneous

soliton

solitude

See More Nearby Entries 

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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More from Merriam-Webster on soliton

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about soliton

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