antimatter

[an-tee-mat-er, an-tahy-]

noun

Physics.

1. matter composed only of antiparticles, especially antiprotons, antineutrons, and positrons.

antimatter

/ ˈæntɪˌmætə /

noun

1. a form of matter composed of antiparticles, such as antihydrogen, consisting of antiprotons and positrons

antimatter

1. A form of matter that consists of antiparticles.

antimatter

1. In physics, matter made of antiparticles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of antimatter¹

First recorded in 1950–55; anti- + matter

Example Sentences

According to physicists, the early universe should have contained equal amounts of matter and antimatter.

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According to current understanding, the early universe should have contained nearly equal amounts of matter and antimatter.

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Scientists believe that the answer to understanding why matter won – and we exist – lies in studying a particle called the neutrino and its antimatter opposite, the anti-neutrino.

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One question is why the universe has more matter than antimatter if the Big Bang created both in equal measure.

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By measuring the neutrinosand their antimatter partners, antineutrinos, in both locations, physicists can study how these particles change their type as they travel, a phenomenon known as neutrino oscillation.

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