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.

Nearby words

positive vetting, positive-negative pressure breathing, positively, positivism, positivity, positron, positron emission tomography, positronium, posole, posology, poss

Origin of positron

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

Also called antielectron, positive electron.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for positron

The uncertainty in the positron counts are huge at the high energy end of the AMS-02 results.
Still No Dark Matter from Space Station Experiment|Matthew R. Francis|September 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Another highly regarded method was PET, or positron emission tomography.
Illustrating the Brain|Casey Schwartz|December 10, 2009|DAILY BEAST
As I am the only scholar in my field—the polarity of the positron—I have never been asked for information.
Joy Ride|Mark Meadows
The design of the electron brain had completely ignored the polarity of the positron.
Joy Ride|Mark Meadows

These units are the positron, the negatron, and the neutron.
Cube Root of Conquest|Roger Phillips Graham

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

Medicine 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

Science definitions for positron

positron

[ pŏz′ĭ-trŏn′ ]

The antiparticle that corresponds to an electron. Also called antielectron

Culture 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.

Note

Positrons are found in collisions initiated by cosmic rays.