Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

tunnel effect

noun

Definition of tunnel effect 

: the quantum mechanical phenomenon sometimes exhibited by moving particles that succeed in passing from one side of a potential barrier to the other although of insufficient energy to pass over the top

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Learn More about tunnel effect

Share tunnel effect

Resources for tunnel effect

Cite Time Traveler Time Traveler! Explore the year a word first appeared

Dictionary Entries near tunnel effect

tunned

tunnel

tunnel diode

tunnel effect

tunnel kiln

tunnel net

tunnel of love

Statistics for tunnel effect

Look-up Popularity

Comments on tunnel effect

What made you want to look up tunnel effect? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

acceptation

a generally accepted meaning of a word

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz

  • scrabble-tiles-that-read-scrabble-quiz
  • Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games