definitions

kaon

[ key-on ]
/ ˈkeɪ ɒn /

noun Physics.

a meson with strangeness +1 and either positive or zero electric charge, or its antiparticle, with strangeness −1 and either negative or zero electric charge. Symbol: K

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Nearby words

kaoliang, kaolin, kaolinite, kaolinize, kaolinosis, kaon, kapa haka, kapell, kapellmeister, kapfenberg, kaph

Origin of kaon

1955–60; ka- (spelling of name of letter k) + (mes)on
Also called K meson, K-meson.

Related forms

ka·on·ic, adjective

Definition for k-meson (2 of 2)

K meson

noun Physics.

kaon.
Also K-me·son [key-mee-zon, -son, -mez-on, -mes-on] /ˈkeɪˈmi zɒn, -sɒn, -ˈmɛz ɒn, -ˈmɛs ɒn/.

Origin of K meson

First recorded in 1950–55
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for k-meson (1 of 2)

K-meson

noun

another name for kaon

British Dictionary definitions for k-meson (2 of 2)

kaon

/ (ˈkeɪɒn) /

noun

a meson that has a positive or negative charge and a rest mass of about 966 electron masses, or no charge and a rest mass of 974 electron massesAlso called: K-meson

Word Origin for kaon

C20: ka representing the letter k + (mes) on
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

Science definitions for k-meson (1 of 2)

K-meson

See kaon.

Science definitions for k-meson (2 of 2)

kaon

[ kā′ŏn′ ]

Any of three unstable mesons, one having charge +1 and a mass of 966 electron masses, and two being electrically neutral, with a mass 974 electron masses. Their half-life is approximately 10-8 seconds, and they decay through the weak force. Their decay patterns suggest that CP invariance may be violated. Also called K-meson K particle See Table at subatomic particle.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.