particle physics

American  

noun

1. the branch of physics that deals with the properties and behavior of elementary particles.

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particle physics British  

noun

1. Also called: high-energy physics.  the study of fundamental particles and their properties

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particle physics Scientific  

1. The branch of physics that deals with subatomic particles.

2. See also quantum field theory quantum mechanics

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particle physics Cultural  

1. The branch of science devoted to the study of the basic constituents of matter, particularly the constituents of the atomic nucleus.

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Etymology

Origin of particle physics

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

particle physics

Liberal Democrat Morgan has also met with world-leading physicist Prof Brian Cox, who warned that the cuts could be as high £162m, roughly 30% of particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics research.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

Those future findings could provide even deeper insights into the nature of neutrinos and help answer some of the most important questions in particle physics.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 12, 2026

The British physicist-turned-computer scientist conceived the web in 1989 while working at CERN, the European particle physics lab in Switzerland.

From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026

If confirmed, these hints would overturn the theory, called the Standard Model, that has dominated particle physics for 50 years.

From Science Daily ● May 26, 2026

In fact, everything in particle physics was about to get a whole lot more complicated.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• quantum mechanics