quasiparticle

American

[kway-zahy-pahr-ti-kuhl, kway-sahy-, kwah-see, -zee-] / ˌkweɪ zaɪˈpɑr tɪ kəl, ˌkweɪ saɪ-, ˌkwɑ si, -zi- /

noun

Physics.

an entity, as an exciton or phonon, that interacts with elementary particles, but does not exist as a free particle.

Etymology

Origin of quasiparticle

First recorded in 1955–60; quasi- + particle

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

quasiparticle

One widely used explanation is the quasiparticle model.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 8, 2026

"The material fluctuates between two different states, as if it cannot decide which one it wants to adopt. In this fluctuating regime, the quasiparticle picture is thought to lose its meaning."

From Science Daily ● Jan. 15, 2026

The researchers intend to use their technique to study more exotic physics in related materials, such as anyons, a new type of quasiparticle that could enable a route to quantum computation.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 9, 2024

The search for the Majorana quasiparticle is following a similar dynamic.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 20, 2023

If this Majorana quasiparticle could be corralled and controlled, the payoff would be twofold.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 20, 2023

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023