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

We’d stay up late debating string theory, behavioral economics, even the origins of satire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

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

In 1976, Simons received the American Mathematical Society’s Oswald Veblen Prize in Geometry for research that would prove to be influential to string theory and other areas of physics.

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2024

This is the approach of two leading candidates for a quantum theory of gravity, string theory and loop quantum gravity.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

Why should just one string theory and one kind of curling up be picked out?

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking