particle

noun

par·ti·cle | \ ˈpär-ti-kəl

Definition of particle

1a : 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

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The best samples had many kinds of living organisms in them, with masses of dead mould, bits of cellulose, various colored particles, shreds of hair, bristles, etc. — Rick Barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Margarine smugglers, a deadly milk war and more flavor Wisconsin's dairy history," 28 Aug. 2019 Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, "Killer smog: Even small amounts of air pollution linked to risk of early death, study finds," 22 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'particle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for particle

particle

noun

English Language Learners Definition of particle

: a very small piece of something

: a very small amount of something

physics : any one of the very small parts of matter (such as a molecule, atom, or electron)

See the full definition for particle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

particle

noun

par·ti·cle | \ ˈpär-ti-kəl

Kids Definition of particle

: a very small bit or amount of something a particle of sand a particle of sense

particle

noun

par·ti·cle | \ ˈpärt-i-kəl

Medical Definition of particle

1 : one of the minute subdivisions of matter (as an atom or molecule) also : elementary particle

particle

Definition of particle

Synonyms for particle

Examples of particle in a Sentence

First Known Use of particle

History and Etymology for particle

English Language Learners Definition of particle

Kids Definition of particle

Medical Definition of particle

particle

Definition of particle

Synonyms for particle

Examples of particle in a Sentence

First Known Use of particle

History and Etymology for particle

English Language Learners Definition of particle

Kids Definition of particle

Medical Definition of particle

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