picosecond

noun

pi·​co·​sec·​ond ˌpē-kō-ˈse-kənd How to pronounce picosecond (audio)
-kənt
: one trillionth of a second

Examples of picosecond 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.
The time delays are very small, often just a few picoseconds. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026 Rapid switching is possible in principle (the laser should be able to switch in picoseconds), but that still has to be done in practice. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, 17 May 2020 The technology emits short, picosecond laser pulses that break pigmented particles into fragments. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 This activity is highly non-linear so that a small change in initial conditions can be inconsequential or lead to huge differences in outcome over timescales ranging from picoseconds to hours or days. — The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 30 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for picosecond

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of picosecond was circa 1962

Rhymes for picosecond

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Browse Nearby Words

picory
picosecond
picot
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Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

picosecond

noun
pi·​co·​sec·​ond ˈpē-kō-ˌsek-ənd, -ənt How to pronounce picosecond (audio)
: one trillionth of a second
—abbreviation ps
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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