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

"I mean, with everything that's been going on, with the activity around the air base, something like that is bound to happen," said 21-year-old Victor Compton.

From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026

Before cinema, he wanted to be a rapper - "a kid from Compton instead of a kid from Nagaland", as he puts it.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

"We wanted the Glazers out and that will never change," said Steve Compton of the the 1958 Group.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Big Ant, who sweeps stalls for the Compton Cowboys, shares his emotions only with his pony.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Also absent was Compton, who was away on a summertime jaunt to South America.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik