tachyon

[ tak-ee-on ]
/ ˈtæk iˌɒn /

noun Physics.

a hypothetical particle that travels faster than the speed of light.

Origin of tachyon

First recorded in 1967; tachy- + -on1

British Dictionary definitions for tachyon

tachyon
/ (ˈtækɪˌɒn) /

noun

physics a hypothetical elementary particle capable of travelling faster than the velocity of light

Word Origin for tachyon

C20: from tachy- + -on

Scientific definitions for tachyon

tachyon
[ tăkē-ŏn′ ]

A hypothetical subatomic particle that travels faster than the speed of light. Although the principles of relativity forbid the acceleration of a particle past the speed of light, they do not prohibit the existence of particles that have always moved faster than that speed. No such particle has ever been detected.