Neutrino

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /njuːˈtɹiːnəʊ/
• GenAm IPA: /njuːˈtɹiːnoÊŠ/
• Rhymes: -iːnəʊ
• Hyphenation: neu + tri + no

Origin

From Italian neutrino (coined by Enrico Fermi), diminutive of neutro ("neutral").

Full definition of neutrino

Noun

1. An elementary particle that is classified as a lepton, and has an extremely small but nonzero mass and no electric charge. It interacts with the surroundings only via the weak force or gravitation, making it very difficult to detect.
• 2011, September 22, Nick Collins, Speed of light 'broken' by scientists, But researchers at the CERN lab near Geneva claim they have recorded neutrinos, a type of tiny particle, travelling faster than the barrier of 186,282 miles (299,792 kilometres) per second.

Related terms

• electron neutrino
• muon neutrino
• tau neutrino
• antineutrino
• neutrino oscillation
• solar neutrino