tau

noun

ˈtau̇  ˈtȯ 

1

: the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet see Alphabet Table

2

: a short-lived elementary particle of the lepton family that exists in positive and negative charge states and has a mass about 3500 times greater than an electron

called also tau particle

3

: a protein that binds to and regulates the assembly and stability of neuronal microtubules and that is found in an abnormal form as the major component of neurofibrillary tangles

Examples of tau in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, the tau camp has made the case that angles can be expressed more intuitively using tau than pi. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 5 May 2026

Compared to those with low vitamin D levels, participants with high vitamin D levels had less tau buildup in their fifties, including in regions of the brain where this protein tends to accumulate first in individuals who develop dementia, the study found. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 1 Apr. 2026

As expected, while both forms of PERK carried out nearly identical functions, mutant PERK did not sufficiently clear out tau. —Jose Abisambra, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026

The brains of people with Alzheimer’s show gummy clumps known as amyloid plaques and buildups of a protein called tau. —Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taw, from Latin tau, from Greek, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew tāw taw

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tau

• tau cross

Kids Definition

tau

noun

ˈtau̇ 

ˈtȯ

: the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet

—Τ or τ

Medical Definition

tau

noun

ˈtau̇  ˈtȯ 

: a protein that binds to and regulates the assembly and stability of neuronal microtubules and that is found in an abnormal form as the major component of neurofibrillary tangles

called also tau protein