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positron

[ poz-i-tron ]
/ ˈpɒz ɪˌtrɒn /

noun Physics.

an elementary particle having the same mass and spin as an electron but having a positive charge equal in magnitude to that of the electron's negative charge; the antiparticle of the electron.

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Also called antielectron, positive electron.

Origin of positron

First recorded in 1930–35; posi(tive) + (elec)tron

Words nearby positron

positive stain, positive theology, positive vetting, positivism, positivity, positron, positron emission tomography, positronium, posole, posology, poss.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for positron

British Dictionary definitions for positron

positron
/ (ˈpɒzɪˌtrɒn) /

noun

physics the antiparticle of the electron, having the same mass but an equal and opposite charge. It is produced in certain decay processes and in pair production, annihilation occurring when it collides with an electron

Word Origin for positron

C20: from posi (tive + elec) tron
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

Medical definitions for positron

positron
[ pŏz′ĭ-trŏn′ ]

n.

A positively charged particle of the same mass and magnitude of charge as an electron.antielectron positive electron
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for positron

positron
[ pŏz′ĭ-trŏn′ ]

The antiparticle that corresponds to an electron. Also called antielectron
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for positron

positron
[ (poz-i-tron) ]

The antiparticle for an electron; it has the same mass as an electron, but carries a positive charge.

notes for positron

Positrons are found in collisions initiated by cosmic rays.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.