nucleon

[ noo-klee-on, nyoo- ]

nounPhysics.
  1. a proton or neutron, especially when considered as a component of a nucleus.

Origin of nucleon

1
First recorded in 1935–40; nucle(us) + -on1

Other words from nucleon

  • nu·cle·on·ic, adjective
  • in·ter·nu·cle·on, adjective
  • in·ter·nu·cle·on·ic, adjective

Words Nearby nucleon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for nucleon

nucleon

/ (ˈnjuːklɪˌɒn) /


noun
  1. a proton or neutron, esp one present in an atomic nucleus

Origin of nucleon

1
C20: from nucle (us) + -on

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for nucleon

nucleon

[ nōōklē-ŏn′ ]


  1. A proton or a neutron, especially as part of an atomic nucleus.

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