1
a
: a minute quantity or fragment
b
: a relatively small or the smallest discrete portion or amount of something
2
archaic : a clause or article of a composition or document
3
: any of the basic units of matter and energy (such as a molecule, atom, proton, electron, or photon)
4
: a unit of speech expressing some general aspect of meaning or some connective or limiting relation and including the articles, most prepositions and conjunctions, and some interjections and adverbs
the particle up has a perfective meaning in phrases such as beat up and cut up
5
: a small eucharistic wafer distributed to a Roman Catholic layman at Communion

Examples of particle in a Sentence

There is not a particle of evidence to support their claim. There is not a particle of truth in what he said. The phrasal verb “look up” consists of the verb “look” and the adverbial particle “up.”
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.
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than five millimeters. Bill Frist, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 The agency will also revisit rules such as water pollution limits for coal plants, air quality standards for small particles and the mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions by large emitters like oil and gas companies. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2025 Some models might be more sensitive to particles in the water, especially if the tap water in your area is much harder than most. Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025 Keep windows and doors closed to prevent further circulation of particles. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for particle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin particula, from diminutive of part-, pars

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of particle was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Particle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/particle. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

particle

noun
1
: one of the very small parts of matter (as a molecule, atom, or electron)
2
: a very small quantity or piece
3
: the smallest possible portion

Medical Definition

particle

noun
1
: one of the minute subdivisions of matter (as an atom or molecule)
2
: a minute quantity or fragment

More from Merriam-Webster on particle

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