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
But in space, especially beyond Earth’s orbit, astronauts are more exposed to these particles, which can damage DNA, increase cancer risk, and accelerate cellular aging.
—
Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2025
Laser direct infrared imaging—an advanced form of microscopy using laser light—was used to detect and count the microplastic particles in each bird's lungs.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
That tells researchers that dark matter can't be made of atoms like everyday matter is, because the particles that comprise atoms — electrons, protons, and neutrons — do interact with light.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 Feb. 2025
The radar also measured the size of the particles, which matched that of sand grains.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for particle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2025
Laser direct infrared imaging—an advanced form of microscopy using laser light—was used to detect and count the microplastic particles in each bird's lungs.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
That tells researchers that dark matter can't be made of atoms like everyday matter is, because the particles that comprise atoms — electrons, protons, and neutrons — do interact with light.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 Feb. 2025
The radar also measured the size of the particles, which matched that of sand grains.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 28 Feb. 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 15 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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