elementary particle

noun

physics : a particle (such as an electron or proton) that is smaller than an atom and does not appear to be made up of a combination of more basic things

Full Definition of ELEMENTARY PARTICLE

: any of the particles of which matter and energy are composed or which mediate the fundamental forces of nature; especially : one whose existence has not been attributed to the combination of other more fundamental entities

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First Known Use of ELEMENTARY PARTICLE

1934

Medical Dictionary

elementary particle

noun

Medical Definition of ELEMENTARY PARTICLE

: any of the particles of which matter and energy are composed or which mediate the fundamental forces of nature; especially : one (as the photon or the electron) whose existence has not been attributed to the combination of other more fundamental entities

: one of the structural units of mitochondrial cristae that are observable by the electron microscope usually as spheres or stalked spheres and are probably the seat of fundamental energy-producing reactions