uncertainty principle

noun

|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

Definition of uncertainty principle

: a principle in quantum mechanics: it is impossible to discern simultaneously and with high accuracy both the position and the momentum of a particle (such as an electron) — called also Heisenberg uncertainty principle

Recent Examples of uncertainty principle from the Web

This is also an unusually literate movie, one that cites Heisenberg’s own famous uncertainty principle the better to bring it to bear on the scenario itself.

— robert rodat, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Catcher Was a Spy’ Shares a Peculiar History Lesson," 21 June 2018
The uncertainty principle The take-away from all this: No alternative source of collision damage coverage — your auto insurance, your credit card or a third-party — completely isolates you from risk.

— ed perkins, USA TODAY, "Nine nasty truths about car rental insurance," 26 Oct. 2017
But the uncertainty principle works for other quantities, too.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "What Is 'Nothing', Really? Possibly Everything," 20 Oct. 2017
The uncertainty principle couples that to the phase.

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "Miniature trampoline may let microwave and optical qubits communicate," 28 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uncertainty principle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.