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

He added that the UK was and would continue to be the second biggest funder of particle physics experiments at CERN.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 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

Observing such a process would break a fundamental rule of particle physics called lepton flavor conservation, which is a key part of the Standard Model, and would provide direct evidence for physics beyond existing theories.

From Science Daily • Feb. 2, 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