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nanoparticle

American

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

noun

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

nanoparticle British

/ ˈnænəʊˌpɑːtɪkəl /

noun

a particle with dimensions less than 100 nanometres

"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

Etymology

Origin of nanoparticle

First recorded in 1980–85; nano- + particle

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.

According to the researchers, these spinning crystals represent the first known example of a self-propelled metallic nanoparticle in biology.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

The drugmakers accused Moderna of infringing on several patents covering lipid nanoparticle technology, which is a critical component of Moderna’s mRNA vaccines.

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

When only a few atoms are pinned, a crystal can grow from the liquid and continue to expand until the entire nanoparticle becomes solid.

From Science Daily • Dec. 11, 2025

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

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