Compton

American  

[komp-tuhn] / ˈkɒmp tən /

noun

1. Arthur Holly 1892–1962, U.S. physicist: Nobel Prize 1927.

2. his brother Karl Taylor 1887–1954, U.S. physicist.

3. Spencer, Earl of Wilmington, 1673?–1743, British statesman: prime minister 1742–43.

4. a city in SW California.

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Compton British  

noun

1. Arthur Holly. 1892–1962, US physicist, noted for his research on X-rays, gamma rays, and nuclear energy: Nobel prize for physics 1927

2. Denis . 1918–97, English cricketer, who played for Middlesex and England (1937–57); broke two records in 1947 scoring 3816 runs and 18 centuries in one season

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Compton Scientific  

/ kŏmp′tən /

1. American physicist who showed that when particles of light (called photons) collide with other particles, such as electrons, they lose energy and momentum and the light's wavelength increases. For his discovery of this phenomenon (which became known as the Compton effect) he shared the 1927 Nobel Prize for physics with Charles Wilson. He also discovered the electrical nature of cosmic rays.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Compton

A Compton native, Wiley played four years at Columbia before a 10-year NFL career from 1997-2006.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

When they faced one another it was absorbing - two players who knew each other's games inside out, from years spent on the practice courts in Compton, California.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

Kindergarten through 2nd graders at Laurel Elementary in Compton participate in a summer bridge program to continue learning foundational math skills if they need a boost for concepts introduced during the school year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

In the Compton Unified School District, for example, educators show kindergartners a photo of 10 cows and ask students to count them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

Compton estimated the American lead on the atomic bomb at no more than six years.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik