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

After watching his mother perform in a production of “A Raisin in the Sun” at Compton Community College when he was 9 years old, Anthony Anderson knew appearing on stage would be his life’s work.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Sporting greats of a bygone time such as Denis Compton, CB Fry and Tip Foster are among the 12 men to do it.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

He spent 19 years in the Compton Courthouse, including supervising misdemeanor trial deputies as deputy in charge.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Nexstar CEO Perry Sook teamed up with WGN executive Sean Compton to kick off “Project Neutral,” a strategy to transform WGN into a straight-news outfit for Middle America.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

“If they succeeded first,” Compton recalled Lawrence’s warning, “they would have in their hands the control of the world.”

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik