triton
1 synonym for triton, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The nucleus of a tritium atom, made up of one proton and two neutrons.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
The physics sense derives from "tritium," from Greek tritos ("third"); the sea-god Triton, son of Poseidon, lends his name to the mollusc and to Neptune's largest moon.
Full origin of triton →Frequently asked questions
What does “triton” mean?
The word “triton” means the nucleus of a tritium atom, made up of one proton and two neutrons. In plain terms, either a tiny particle in nuclear physics, or a marine snail — both borrow from the name of the Greek sea god.
How do you pronounce “triton”?
“Triton” is pronounced TREYE-tuhn (/ˈtɹaɪtən/ in IPA).
How do you use “triton” in a sentence?
Here is “triton” used in a sentence: “Physicists studied how a triton behaves in fusion reactions.”
What part of speech is “triton”?
“Triton” is a noun.
Where does the word “triton” come from?
The word “triton” comes from Greek. The physics sense derives from "tritium," from Greek tritos ("third"); the sea-god Triton, son of Poseidon, lends his name to the mollusc and to Neptune's largest moon.
How many meanings does “triton” have?
“Triton” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the nucleus of a tritium atom, made up of one proton and two neutrons.
