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

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

Correction: this article was updated to make clear that the 30% cut announced to funding for particle physics and astronomy research was "likely" rather than confirmed, as originally implied.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Prof Jon Butterworth of University College London, described the level of cuts as "existentially threatening" to UK particle physics.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

The partnership offers a preview of how future large particle physics projects may operate.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 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