baryon

[bar-ee-on]

noun Physics.

a proton, neutron, or any elementary particle that decays into a set of particles that includes a proton.

Compare quark model.

Origin of baryon

1950–55; < Greek barý(s) heavy + (fermi)on

Related formsbar·y·on·ic

[bar-ee-on-ik] /ˌbær iˈɒn ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for baryonic

baryonic

adjective

of or relating to a baryon

baryon

noun

any of a class of elementary particles that have a mass greater than or equal to that of the proton, participate in strong interactions, and have a spin of 1/2 . Baryons are either nucleons or hyperons. The baryon number is the number of baryons in a system minus the number of antibaryons

Word Origin for baryon

C20: bary-, from Greek barus heavy + -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

baryonic in Science

baryon

[băr′ē-ŏn′]

Any of a family of subatomic particles composed of three quarks or three antiquarks. They are generally more massive than mesons, and interact with each other via the strong force. Baryons form a subclass of hadrons and are subdivided into nucleons and hyperons. Protons and neutrons are baryons. See Table at subatomic particle.