boson
Boson (noun) means a type of subatomic particle with a whole-number spin, unlike particles such as electrons; photons and the Higgs particle are examples. Example: “The Higgs boson was confirmed experimentally in 2012.”
How to use boson
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA category of particle in physics defined by how it behaves in groups — distinct from fermions like electrons and protons.
A technical physics term, rarely used outside science contexts except in phrases like "the God particle" (the Higgs boson).
Word forms
bosons plural, bosons plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The Higgs _____ was confirmed experimentally in 2012.
Etymology
Named after the Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, whose work on particle statistics inspired the term; coined by physicist Paul Dirac in 1945.
Frequently asked questions
What does “boson” mean?
The word “boson” means a type of subatomic particle with a whole-number spin, unlike particles such as electrons; photons and the Higgs particle are examples. In plain terms, a category of particle in physics defined by how it behaves in groups — distinct from fermions like electrons and protons.
How do you pronounce “boson”?
“Boson” is pronounced BOH-zon (/ˈboʊ.zɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “boson” in a sentence?
Here is “boson” used in a sentence: “The Higgs boson was confirmed experimentally in 2012.”
What part of speech is “boson”?
“Boson” is a noun.
Where does the word “boson” come from?
The word “boson” dates back to around 1945. Named after the Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, whose work on particle statistics inspired the term; coined by physicist Paul Dirac in 1945.