neutron

noun

neu·​tron ˈnü-ˌträn 

ˈnyü-

: an uncharged elementary particle that has a mass nearly equal to that of the proton and is present in all known atomic nuclei except the hydrogen nucleus

neutronic

nü-ˈträ-nik 

nyü-

adjective

Examples of neutron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The relation is derived partially from the principles of quantum chromodynamics, or QCD, which is the theory of how the strong force binds particles called quarks to form particles such as neutrons. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025

In 1932, Ioffe’s student Dmitrii Ivanenko came up with the neutron-proton model of the atom. —Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025

Plutonium is also the principal fuel in a fast neutron reactor, and in any reactor, it is progressively bred from non-fissile U-238 that comprises over 99 percent of natural uranium. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025

And that each electron is tiny in mass compared to each proton, neutrons, and atomic nucleus. —Big Think, 16 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from neutral

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing neutron

• neutron activation analysis
• neutron bomb
• neutron star

Rhymes for neutron

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

neutron

noun

neu·​tron ˈn(y)ü-ˌträn 

: an uncharged atomic particle that has a mass nearly equal to that of the proton and is present in all known atomic nuclei except the hydrogen nucleus

Medical Definition

neutron

noun

neu·​tron ˈn(y)ü-ˌträn 

: an uncharged elementary particle that has a mass nearly equal to that of the proton and is present in all known atomic nuclei except the hydrogen nucleus