nanoparticle

American  

[nan-oh-pahr-ti-kuhl, ney-noh-] / ˈnæn oʊˌpɑr tɪ kəl, ˈneɪ noʊ- /

noun

1. a microscopic particle of matter that is measured on the nanoscale, usually one that measures less than 100 nanometers.

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nanoparticle British  

/ ˈnænəʊˌpɑːtɪkəl /

noun

1. a particle with dimensions less than 100 nanometres

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Etymology

Origin of nanoparticle

First recorded in 1980–85; nano- + particle

Example Sentences

The lawsuit stemmed from patents on lipid nanoparticle technology used in Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine, with analysts viewing the settlement as manageable.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

Arbutus and Genevant sued Moderna last year, saying that they held patents covering the lipid nanoparticle technology used in Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

Each nanoparticle included a lipid core, immune activating DNA and a short fragment of an HPV protein already present in tumor cells.

From Science Daily • Feb. 18, 2026

Another key advantage is that the retron system can be delivered into cells as RNA enclosed in a lipid nanoparticle.

From Science Daily • Oct. 25, 2025

Before I say what they are, I should back up and say, if you’re on a battlefield, this synthetic nanoparticle is going to be the way to go always.

From Slate • Sep. 1, 2025