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Definition of "positron" [positron]

  • An elementary particle having the same mass and magnitude of charge as an electron but exhibiting a positive charge; a positive electron. Also called antielectron. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "positron" in a sentence
  • "The anti-particle of a negatively charged electron, for example, has a positive charge and is called a positron."
  • "The positron is slowed down by the water and destroyed together with an electron (matter meets antimatter), whereupon two photons (light particles) are created."
  • "Referring to the so-called positron, the positive particle regarded as the polar opposite of the negative electron, he remarks: 'A positron is a hole from which an electron has been removed; it is a bung-hole which would be evened up with its surroundings if an electron were inserted. ..."