Hamiltonian

American  

[ham-uhl-toh-nee-uhn] / ˌhæm əlˈtoʊ ni ən /

adjective

1. pertaining to or advocating Hamiltonianism.

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noun

1. a supporter of Alexander Hamilton or Hamiltonianism.

Hamiltonian British  

/ ˌhæməlˈtəʊnɪən /

noun

1. a mathematical function of the coordinates and momenta of a system of particles used to express their equations of motion

2. H. a mathematical operator that generates such a function

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adjective

1. denoting or relating to Sir William Rowan Hamilton, or to the theory of mechanics or mathematical operator devised by him

Hamiltonian Scientific  

/ hăm′əl-tō′nē-ən /

1. A mathematical function or operator that can be used to describe the state of a physical system. In classical mechanics, the Hamiltonian is a function of coordinates and momenta of bodies in the system, treated as independent variables. It is equal to the sum of the kinetic and potential energies of the system, and can be used to derive the equations of motion for the system. In quantum mechanics, the Hamiltonian is an operator corresponding to the total energy of the system. The Hamiltonian is named after Irish mathematician William Rowan Hamilton (1805–1865).

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Etymology

Origin of Hamiltonian

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800; Hamilton + -ian

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Compare meaning

How does hamiltonian compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Hamiltonian vs. Jeffersonian

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Hamiltonian

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to experimentally demonstrate Hamiltonian based measurement processes for quantum feedback control using superconducting qubits.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 3, 2026

Industrialization posed the question, the author writes, of whether, as the historian James Truslow Adams put it, “a Jeffersonian democracy could survive in a Hamiltonian economy.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

Morris was a Hamiltonian before Hamilton, a champion of a strong Congress and a strong president.

From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2024

Twigs, plaster and road signs are among the mundane things repurposed or reimagined in “New. Now. 23,” Hamiltonian Artists’ showcase of its latest quintet of artistic fellows.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 3, 2023

It is not easy to square what was to become the Hamiltonian version of the duel with this agreed-upon point.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

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