hadron

noun

had·​ron ˈha-ˌdrän How to pronounce hadron (audio)
: any of the subatomic particles (such as protons and neutrons) that are made up of quarks and are subject to the strong force
hadronic
ha-ˈdrä-nik How to pronounce hadron (audio)
adjective

Examples of hadron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, a muon collider might combine the strengths of hadron and e+e- colliders— and be faster and cheaper to build. — Byadrian Cho, science.org, 28 Mar. 2024 Finding these kinds of particles helps teach physicists about the strong force, which is the most powerful force in nature and binds hadrons together. — Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026 Other researchers soon realized that his formula, now known as the Veneziano amplitude, implied that hadrons aren’t particles, but vibrating strings. — Quanta Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026 Initially an electron-positron Higgs factory, subsequent upgrades would create a ~100+ TeV hadron collider. — Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hadron

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary hadr- thick, heavy (from Greek hadros thick) + -on entry 2

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hadron was in 1962

Rhymes for hadron

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Browse Nearby Words

hadromycotic
hadron
hadrosaur
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Cite this Entry

“Hadron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hadron. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hadron

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hadron

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