mass defect
noun Physics.
the amount by which the mass of an atomic nucleus differs from the sum of the masses of its constituent particles, being the mass equivalent of the energy released in the formation of the nucleus.
Compare
binding energy.
Origin of mass defect
First recorded in 1925–30
Words nearby mass defect
masquerade,
mass,
mass affluent,
mass book,
mass card,
mass defect,
mass extinction,
mass hysteria,
mass in,
mass leave,
mass man
British Dictionary definitions for mass defect
mass defect
noun
physics
the amount by which the mass of a particular nucleus is less than the total mass of its constituent particles
See also binding energy