positron

American  

[poz-i-tron] / ˈpɒz ɪˌtrɒn /

noun

Physics.

1. 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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positron British  

/ ˈpɒzɪˌtrɒn /

noun

1. 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

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positron Scientific  

/ pŏz′ĭ-trŏn′ /

1. The antiparticle that corresponds to an electron.

2. Also called antielectron

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positron Cultural  

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

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Discover More

Positrons are found in collisions initiated by cosmic rays.

Etymology

Origin of positron

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

positron

Dutch peer Royal Philips doesn’t compete in radio-oncology or positron emission tomography, but it is already seeing pressure through centralized procurement of ultrasound equipment, the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

Positronium, on the other hand, consists of an electron and its antimatter equivalent, a positron.

From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2024

Notably, this is the first-ever report of molecular ions being ejected upon positron irradiation.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2023

Though the novel positron approach turned out not to be viable, across the Atlantic, U.S. researchers had heard about the Italian effort and begun to look into things themselves.

From Scientific American ● Aug. 28, 2023

In 1930 he predicted the existence of the positron, a positively charged electron.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik