fermi

noun

fer·mi ˈfer-(ˌ)mē

ˈfər-

: a former SI unit of length equal to 10⁻¹⁵ meters : femtometer

Word History

Etymology

Enrico Fermi

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of fermi was in 1955

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fermi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fermi. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Biographical Definition

Fermi

biographical name

Fer·mi ˈfer-(ˌ)mē

Enrico 1901–1954 American (Italian-born) physicist

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

paroxysm

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

fermi

noun

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near fermi

Cite this Entry

Biographical Definition

biographical name

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

paroxysm

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels

Games & Quizzes

fermi

noun

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near fermi

Cite this Entry

Share

Biographical Definition

biographical name

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

paroxysm

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels

Games & Quizzes