A proton is an atomic particle that has a positive electrical charge.
[technical]
proton in British English
(ˈprəʊtɒn)
noun
a stable, positively charged elementary particle, found in atomic nuclei in numbers equal to the atomic number of the element. It is a baryon with a charge of 1.602176462 × 10–19 coulomb, a rest mass of 1.672 62159 × 10–27 kilogram, and spin 1⁄2
Word origin
C20: from Greek prōtos first
proton in American English
(ˈproʊˌtɑn)
noun
Particle Physics
a nucleon carrying a positive charge equal to the negative charge of an electron and having a mass of c. 1.673 × 10-27kg (c. 938.2796 MeV/c2, c. 1,836 times the mass of an electron): the number of protons in an atom determines the atomic number of a chemical element
Word origin
ModL < Gr prōton, neut. of prōtos, first: see proto-
Examples of 'proton' in a sentence
proton
The new fund will look to back innovations that advance the treatment of brain tumours, including medicines and proton beam machines.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The new fund will look to back innovations that advance the treatment of brain tumours,including medicines and proton beam machines.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It specialises in funding proton beam treatment.
The Sun (2014)
He said he had offered to sell his property to pay for the proton beam.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
A proton beam stops and is much less harmful, although the dose of radiation is the same.
The Sun (2015)
Most Western countries have numerous proton beam establishments, which in some cases have been in use for years.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
proton
British English: proton NOUN
A proton is an atomic particle that has a positive electrical charge.
American English: proton
Brazilian Portuguese: próton
Chinese: 质子
European Spanish: protón
French: proton
German: Proton
Italian: protone
Japanese: プロトン
Korean: 양성자
European Portuguese: protão
Latin American Spanish: protón
All related terms of 'proton'
proton number
the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of an element
proton therapy
a form of radiotherapy in which the particles used are protons
proton microscope
a powerful type of microscope that uses a beam of protons , giving high resolution and sharp contrast
proton synchrotron
a synchrotron for accelerating protons and other heavy particles to very high energies
proton-pump inhibitor
any of a group of drugs used to treat excessive secretion of acid in the stomach and any resulting ulcers . They block the enzyme ( proton pump ) in the cells of the gastric glands that secrete hydrochloric acid
at. no.
atomic number
atomic number
the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of an element