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

On its release in April, Michael took $217m globally in its first week, overtaking previous music biopics including 2015's NWA film Straight Outta Compton and 2018's Queen film Bohemian Rhapsody.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

“It doesn’t have to be, like, fashion fashion,” she said with a laugh during a recent visit with primary care provider Dr. Edward Cardenas at his East Compton office.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026

When Compton Unified School Board President Micah Ali checked his mailbox last week, he was in for a shock.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

He appears to take aim at his rival with some lyrics, accusing him of using his birthplace of Compton, Los Angeles as a backdrop for acts of charity, while escaping to a celebrity life elsewhere.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Of the other possible candidates, Compton could not be spared from Chicago, and Harold Urey, a chemist, was not qualified to manage a physics lab.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik