superposition

[ soo-per-puh-zish-uhn ]

/ ˌsu pər pəˈzɪʃ ən /

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noun Geology.

the order in which sedimentary strata are superposed one above another.

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Compare law of superposition.

Origin of superposition

1790–1800; <French superposition;see super-, position

Words nearby superposition

superphylum, superphysical, superplastic, superport, superpose, superposition, superposition principle, superpower, superrace, superrational, superrealism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use superposition in a sentence

For our study, we managed to flip the state of the qubits, but not yet produce arbitrary superposition states.
How a Simple Crystal Could Help Pave the Way to Full-Scale Quantum Computing|Jarryd Pla|August 19, 2021|Singularity Hub
Unlike normal binary bits, the qubits at the heart of a quantum computer can exist in a state known as superposition, where their value can be 0 and 1 simultaneously.
Google Gets One Step Closer to Error-Corrected Quantum Computing|Edd Gent|July 19, 2021|Singularity Hub
Different twists correspond to the 1s, 0s and superpositions of 1s and 0s that are the bits of quantum computation.
The Near-Magical Mystery of Quasiparticles|Thomas Lewton|March 24, 2021|Quanta Magazine
“As a consequence, an agent that can explore its environment in superposition will learn significantly faster than its classical counterpart,” said Briegel.
Quantum Computing and Reinforcement Learning Are Joining Forces to Make Faster AI|Shelly Fan|March 16, 2021|Singularity Hub

The quantum advantage blossoms when the task becomes more complex or difficult, allowing quantum mechanics to fully flex its superposition muscles.
Quantum Computing and Reinforcement Learning Are Joining Forces to Make Faster AI|Shelly Fan|March 16, 2021|Singularity Hub
Last in the order of superposition, is the secondary limestone formation.
Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1820|Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
We can produce a more perfect and shorter circle of attractions by the superposition of magnetism, as at B, Fig. 1.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 392, July 7, 1883|Various
The horizontal elements constitute the planes, as they cover the voids by horizontal superposition.
A history of art in ancient Egypt, Vol. I (of 2)|Georges Perrot
They examined the plates carefully, and neither of them could find any evidence of superposition, or other trick.
The Coming of the Fairies|Arthur Conan Doyle
They are also tinted (apparently) by the superposition of a tinted atmosphere.
Visual Illusions|Matthew Luckiesh

British Dictionary definitions for superposition

superposition

/ (ˌsuːpəpəˈzɪʃən) /

noun

the act of superposing or state of being superposed

geology the principle that in any sequence of sedimentary rocks which has not been disturbed, the oldest strata lie at the bottom and the youngest at the top

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for superposition

superposition

[ sōō′pər-pə-zĭsh′ən ]

The principle that in a group of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest were the earliest to be deposited.

The principle by which the description of the state of a physical system can be broken down into descriptions that are themselves possible states of the system. For example, harmonic motion, as of a violin string, can be analyzed as the sum of harmonic frequencies or harmonics, each of which is itself a kind of harmonic motion; harmonic motion is therefore a superposition of individual harmonics.

The combination of two or more physical states, such as waves, to form a new physical state in accordance with this principle. See also wave. See Note at Schrödinger.