nucleon

noun

nu·​cle·​on ˈnü-klē-ˌän How to pronounce nucleon (audio)
ˈnyü-
1
: a proton or neutron especially in the atomic nucleus
2
: a hypothetical single entity with one-half unit of isospin that can manifest itself as either a proton or a neutron
nucleonic adjective

Examples of nucleon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It’s made up of a central nucleus consisting of protons and neutrons, called nucleons, with electrons orbiting around the nucleus. Artemis Spyrou, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024 This residual intranuclear binding force is much weaker than the strong force inside the nucleon. Aaron Shattuck, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024 Beyond that, effective quantum equations, built with elementary degrees of freedom among nucleons and QCD-consistent potentials, are used to explain and explore the properties of light nuclei up to A = 14. Aaron Shattuck, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024 Like electrons, nucleons occupy shells, and these magic numbers represent the tallies needed to fill nucleonic shells completely. Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 14 May 2024 But the theory of the strong force was not developed to explain how nucleons stick together. WIRED, 10 Aug. 2023 The Strong Nuclear Force Atomic nucleons—protons and neutrons—are held together by the strong force. WIRED, 10 Aug. 2023 Instead, at these scales, a new effective force emerges—the strong nuclear force, transmitted between nucleons by the exchange of pions. WIRED, 10 Aug. 2023 Instead, at these scales, a new effective force emerges — the strong nuclear force, transmitted between nucleons by the exchange of pions. Katie McCormick, Quanta Magazine, 12 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nucleon was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near nucleon

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

nucleon

noun
nu·​cle·​on ˈn(y)ü-klē-ˌän How to pronounce nucleon (audio)
: a nuclear particle:
a
: proton
b
nucleonic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on nucleon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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