string theory

American  

noun

Physics.

1. string3

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string theory Scientific  

/ strĭng /

1. Any of various theories in physics hypothesizing that space-time has more than four dimensions, and that some of the dimensions are exceedingly small and stringlike in shape. Elementary particles in string theory are understood as standing waves in such space-time strings, rather than as pointlike objects. String theories attempt to unify gravity with the other fundamental forces.

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string theory Cultural  

1. In physics, a theory that views subatomic particles as string-like objects floating in space-time rather than as point-like objects. Space-time in string theory can have up to nine dimensions of space, plus the dimension of time.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

string theory

Scientists working on concepts such as string theory and quantum gravity are attempting to reconcile quantum mechanics with Einstein's theory of relativity, one of the biggest unsolved problems in modern physics.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026

Starting from just a couple of assumptions about how particles scatter during collisions, they unexpectedly arrived at the core features of string theory.

From Science Daily ● May 19, 2026

Until this hypothetical key to the mysteries puts a bow on string theory and reconciles quantum and classical mechanics, don’t bother.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026

Dr. Djordje Minic, a professor of physics and particle and string theory at the University of Texas at Austin, isn’t so sure about these conclusions.

From Salon ● Nov. 13, 2024

Physicists began to think that string theory would unify quantum mechanics with relativity; they believed that it would lead to the theory of quantum gravity—the Theory of Everything that explains every phenomenon in the universe.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife