tachyon

[ tak-ee-on ]

noun

, Physics.

1. a hypothetical particle that travels faster than the speed of light.

tachyon

/ ˈtækɪˌɒn /

noun

1. physics a hypothetical elementary particle capable of travelling faster than the velocity of light

tachyon

/ tăk′ē-ŏn′ /

1. A hypothetical subatomic particle that travels faster than the speed of light. Although the principles of relativity forbid the acceleration of a particle past the speed of light, they do not prohibit the existence of particles that have always moved faster than that speed. No such particle has ever been detected.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tachyon¹

First recorded in 1967; tachy- + -on ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tachyon¹

C20: from tachy- + -on