quantum

[kwon-tuhm]

noun

plural

quanta 

1. quantity or amount.

   the least quantum of evidence.

2. a particular amount.

3. a share or portion.

4. a large quantity; bulk.

5. Physics.

   1. the smallest quantity of radiant energy, equal to Planck's constant times the frequency of the associated radiation.

   2. the fundamental unit of a quantized physical magnitude, as angular momentum.

adjective

1. sudden and significant.

   a quantum increase in productivity.

quantum

/ ˈkwɒntəm /

noun

1. physics

   1. the smallest quantity of some physical property, such as energy, that a system can possess according to the quantum theory

   2. a particle with such a unit of energy

2. amount or quantity, esp a specific amount

3. (often used with a negative) the least possible amount that can suffice

   there is not a quantum of evidence for your accusation

4. something that can be quantified or measured

5. (modifier) loosely, sudden, spectacular, or vitally important

   a quantum improvement

quantum

plural

quanta 

1. A discrete, indivisible manifestation of a physical property, such as a force or angular momentum. Some quanta take the form of elementary particles; for example, the quantum of electromagnetic radiation is the photon, while the quanta of the weak force are the W and Z particles.

2. See also quantum state

Word History and Origins

Origin of quantum¹

1610–20; noun use of neuter of Latin quantus how much

Word History and Origins

Origin of quantum¹

C17: from Latin quantus (adj) how much

Example Sentences

They shared the prize with native-born American John Martinis for “quantum mechanical tunnelling.”

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Those headwinds “cast uncertainty on the company’s forecast and ability to service a large capital structure that would be magnified by the quantum of new financing required,” the filing said.

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A fault tolerant quantum computer is one that can correct the small, unavoidable errors that arise in computation and consistently deliver reliable results.

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Shares have rallied since Tuesday, when Rigetti announced that it secured purchase orders worth a total $5.7 million for two quantum computing systems.

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A collection of four pure-play quantum computing stocks has risen nearly fourfold on average over the past year.

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