gluon

[ gloo-on ]
/ ˈglu ɒn /

noun Physics.

an unobserved massless particle with spin 1 that is believed to transmit the strong force between quarks, binding them together into baryons and mesons.

Origin of gluon

First recorded in 1970–75; glue + -on1

Words nearby gluon

British Dictionary definitions for gluon

gluon
/ (ˈɡluːɒn) /

noun

a hypothetical particle believed to be exchanged between quarks in order to bind them together to form particles

Word Origin for gluon

C20: from glue + -on

Scientific definitions for gluon

gluon
[ glōōŏn ]

The subatomic particle that mediates the strong force. The exchange of gluons between two quarks changes the color of the quarks and results in the attractive force holding them together in hadrons. Gluons are bosons. See Table at subatomic particle.