noun
Uncommon
neutron
NOO-tron
Neutron (noun) means a subatomic particle with no electric charge found in the nucleus of an atom. Example: “Splitting an atom releases a burst of neutrons.”
noun
1
A subatomic particle with no electric charge found in the nucleus of an atom.
"Splitting an atom releases a burst of neutrons."
"A neutron and a proton together make up most of an atom's mass."
How to use neutron
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA chargeless particle found in the nucleus of atoms, alongside protons.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
neutron star
free neutron
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Word forms
- Plural
- neutrons
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Splitting an atom releases a burst of _____.
Etymology
From neutral plus the particle-naming suffix -on. Coined in 1899, though the modern meaning was firmly established by Ernest Rutherford in 1920.
Frequently asked questions
What does “neutron” mean?
The word “neutron” means a subatomic particle with no electric charge found in the nucleus of an atom. In plain terms, a chargeless particle found in the nucleus of atoms, alongside protons.
How do you pronounce “neutron”?
“Neutron” is pronounced NOO-tron (/ˈnu.tɹɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “neutron” in a sentence?
Here is “neutron” used in a sentence: “Splitting an atom releases a burst of neutrons.”
What part of speech is “neutron”?
“Neutron” is a noun.
Where does the word “neutron” come from?
The word “neutron” dates back to around 1899. From neutral plus the particle-naming suffix -on. Coined in 1899, though the modern meaning was firmly established by Ernest Rutherford in 1920.
Is “neutron” a common word?
“Neutron” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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