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.

---

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

---

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.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Compton

Mr. Compton also directs the production, which is staged on a two-tiered unit set depicting a barnacle-encrusted old pier.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

Jethro Compton wrote the book, Darren Clark supplied the music, and they share credit for the lyrics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

In math, Compton students show a 46.5% proficiency rate, up 5.4 percentage points.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

"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

He added that Compton, “like all of us, is very anxious that we scientists do everything we can in the direction of preparedness, and we discussed ways and means.”

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---