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cyclotron

American  
[sahy-kluh-tron, sik-luh-] / ˈsaɪ kləˌtrɒn, ˈsɪk lə- /

noun

Physics.

  1. an accelerator in which particles are propelled in spiral paths by the use of a constant magnetic field.

cyclotron British  
/ ˈsaɪkləˌtrɒn /

noun

  1. a type of particle accelerator in which the particles spiral inside two D-shaped hollow metal electrodes placed facing each other under the effect of a strong vertical magnetic field, gaining energy by a high-frequency voltage applied between these electrodes

"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
cyclotron Scientific  
/ sī′klə-trŏn′ /

  1. A type of particle accelerator that accelerates charged subatomic particles, such as protons and electrons, in an outwardly spiraling path, greatly increasing their energies. Cyclotrons are used to bring about high-speed particle collisions in order to study subatomic structures.

  2. Compare linear accelerator See also synchrocyclotron See Note at particle accelerator

cyclotron Cultural  

  1. The first kind of particle accelerator built.

Discover More

Cyclotrons are now used for special research projects.

Etymology

Origin of cyclotron

First recorded in 1930–35; cyclo- + -tron

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Within the Texas A&M Cyclotron Institute, scientists are producing At-211 using the K150 cyclotron with support from the U.S.

From Science Daily • Nov. 11, 2025

At first, he was intimidated by the experience and knowledge of Cyclotron researchers.“You’re working with someone who has 40 years under their belt,” he says.

From Nature • Nov. 19, 2019

Back in 1966, Uwe’s PhD dissertation in physics was titled “Dielectric Anomalies in the Cyclotron Absorption Spectrum of Lead Telluride.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 16, 2015

He did it in front of three dozen staff members from the IU Health Proton Therapy Center and IU Cyclotron lined up along the wall in the center’s hallway.

From Washington Times • Dec. 5, 2014

He seemed pleased at the chance to expand the Cyclotron Republic once again.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.