binding energy
Americannoun
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Also called separation energy. the energy required to decompose a molecule, atom, or nucleus into its constituent particles, equal to the energy equivalent of the mass defect.
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the energy required to separate a single particle or group of particles from a molecule, atom, or nucleus.
noun
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the energy that must be supplied to a stable nucleus before it can undergo fission. It is equal to the mass defect
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the energy required to remove a particle from a system, esp an electron from an atom
Etymology
Origin of binding energy
First recorded in 1930–35
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.
Does the concept of actually gaining energy through exercise — aka, getting a runner’s high — mystify you?
From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2022
The storm lost punch as it zipped across the Yucatan Peninsula, but it emerged late Thursday over the relatively warm Gulf of Mexico and was gaining energy.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 19, 2021
It just goes around and around, gaining energy - which means it gains mass, if you remember your handy Einstein equation, e=mc.
From Washington Times • May 12, 2018
This is much more about gaining energy and knowledge from the relationship.
From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 10, 2015
His diction, in like manner, judged by the standard of the cinque cento, is far from choice—loaded with Lombardisms, gaining energy and vividness at the expense of refinement and precision.
From Renaissance in Italy: Italian Literature Part 1 (of 2) by Symonds, John Addington
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.
