quantum

American  

[kwon-tuhm] / ˈkwɒn təm /

noun

plural

quanta

1. quantity or amount.

   the least quantum of evidence.

2. a particular amount.

3. a share or portion.

4. a large quantity; bulk.

5. Physics.

   1. the smallest quantity of radiant energy, equal to Planck's constant times the frequency of the associated radiation.

   2. the fundamental unit of a quantized physical magnitude, as angular momentum.

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adjective

1. sudden and significant.

   a quantum increase in productivity.

quantum British  

/ ˈkwɒntəm /

noun

1. physics

   1. the smallest quantity of some physical property, such as energy, that a system can possess according to the quantum theory

   2. a particle with such a unit of energy

2. amount or quantity, esp a specific amount

3. (often used with a negative) the least possible amount that can suffice

   there is not a quantum of evidence for your accusation

4. something that can be quantified or measured

5. (modifier) loosely, sudden, spectacular, or vitally important

   a quantum improvement

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quantum Scientific  

/ kwŏn′təm /

plural

quanta

1. A discrete, indivisible manifestation of a physical property, such as a force or angular momentum. Some quanta take the form of elementary particles; for example, the quantum of electromagnetic radiation is the photon, while the quanta of the weak force are the W and Z particles.

2. See also quantum state

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Etymology

Origin of quantum

1610–20; noun use of neuter of Latin quantus how much

Example Sentences

This setup produced an ultracold quantum gas in which both energy and mass move with complete efficiency.

From Science Daily

It looks, and feels, very eighties, but if quantum's potential is realised, the metal and wire jellyfish structure in front of me will transform the world, in many ways.

From BBC

However, D-Wave has long concentrated on a specific modality called annealing quantum computing, and only recently announced its return to gate-based quantum, the approach favored by peers like IonQ and International Business Machines.

From Barron's

However, D-Wave has long concentrated on a specific modality called annealing quantum computing, and only recently announced its return to gate-based quantum, the approach favored by peers like IonQ and International Business Machines.

From Barron's

This approach is reshaping how information can be transmitted, measured, and processed by merging quantum information science with carefully engineered patterns of light in space and time.

From Science Daily