meson
noun
me·son ˈme-ˌzän 
ˈmē-ˌzän ˈmē-ˌsän
ˈme-ˌsän,
ˈmā-ˌzän,
ˈmā-ˌsän ˈmē-ˌzän ˈmē-ˌsän : any of a group of fundamental particles (such as the pion and kaon) made up of a quark and an antiquark that are subject to the strong force and have zero or an integer number of quantum units of spin
mesonic
me-ˈzä-nik
adjective me-ˈsä-
mā-ˈzä-
mā-ˈsä- mē-ˈzä-
mē-ˈsä- 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web This oscillation proves that charm meson particles can alternate between states of matter and antimatter. 
Caroline Delbert And Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 29 July 2021 For example, a meson could consist of a red and an antired quark. Elizabeth Fernandez, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2021 The secret lies in an elusive, unstable particle called a B meson, which isn’t biodegrading according to plan. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 23 Mar. 2021 That is, a rare decay of a B meson does not directly yield new particles—muons and kaons are old hat—but the rate at which the decay happens can depend on heavy, as-yet-unseen particles influencing the outcome behind the scenes. Daniel Garisto, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2021 During particle runs at LHC as part of the LHCb experimental team, the physicists scrutinized the rarest occurring B meson decays. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 23 Mar. 2021 The experiment also logs a smaller number of B meson decays ending with electrons. Quanta Magazine, 26 May 2020 All eyes are on the B meson, a yoked pair of quark particles. Quanta Magazine, 26 May 2020 The kaon, a special case of meson particle, is made of one quark and one antiquark. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 Mar. 2020 See More
Caroline Delbert And Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 29 July 2021 For example, a meson could consist of a red and an antired quark. Elizabeth Fernandez, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2021 The secret lies in an elusive, unstable particle called a B meson, which isn’t biodegrading according to plan. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 23 Mar. 2021 That is, a rare decay of a B meson does not directly yield new particles—muons and kaons are old hat—but the rate at which the decay happens can depend on heavy, as-yet-unseen particles influencing the outcome behind the scenes. Daniel Garisto, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2021 During particle runs at LHC as part of the LHCb experimental team, the physicists scrutinized the rarest occurring B meson decays. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 23 Mar. 2021 The experiment also logs a smaller number of B meson decays ending with electrons. Quanta Magazine, 26 May 2020 All eyes are on the B meson, a yoked pair of quark particles. Quanta Magazine, 26 May 2020 The kaon, a special case of meson particle, is made of one quark and one antiquark. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 Mar. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary mes- + -on entry 2
First Known Use
1939, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing meson
Medical Definition
meson
noun
me·son ˈmez-ˌän ˈmēz-
ˈmēz- ˈmēs-,
ˈmes-
: any of a group of unstable elementary particles that are subject to nuclear forces and have masses much greater than that of the electron