noun
meson
MEE-zahn/mˈeɪzˌɑn/
A subatomic particle made of one quark and one antiquark.
A meson contains one quark paired with one antiquark.
Etymology
The name means a “middle” particle, referring to a mass intermediate between those of electrons and protons. It describes the original mass comparison rather than the particle's quark composition.
In context
what a meson is really made of.
More examples
- The detector records the decay of a short-lived meson.
- Pions and kaons are types of mesons.
- Physicists study mesons to learn about the strong nuclear force.
Forms
meson · mesons
mesonic adjective — Relating to mesons or their properties.