particle
noun
par·ti·cle
ˈpär-ti-kəl 
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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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
Cite this Entry
“Particle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/particle. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
particle
noun
par·ti·cle
ˈpärt-i-kəl
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
par·ti·cle
ˈpärt-i-kəl
1
: one of the minute subdivisions of matter (as an atom or molecule)
also
: elementary particle
2
: a minute quantity or fragment
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