quantum

1 of 2

noun

quan·​tum ˈkwän-təm How to pronounce quantum (audio)
plural quanta ˈkwän-tə How to pronounce quantum (audio)
1
b
c
: gross quantity : bulk
2
a
: any of the very small increments or parcels into which many forms of energy are subdivided
b
: any of the small subdivisions of a quantized physical magnitude (such as magnetic moment)

quantum

2 of 2

adjective

1
: large, significant
a quantum improvement
2
: of, relating to, or employing the principles of quantum mechanics
quantum physics

Examples of quantum in a Sentence

Noun the sum of human knowledge is now so immense that even a highly educated person can hope to absorb only a tiny quantum of it
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But current research in quantum physics finds that no such separation is possible. The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 In part, this is to combat one of the biggest current fears around quantum computing: that countries and threat actors are gathering and hoarding encrypted data today with the plan to unlock its secrets if quantum technologies evolve. Matt Burgess, WIRED, 21 Feb. 2024 Plus, the country’s private quantum sector is relatively meager. IEEE Spectrum, 14 Feb. 2024 In the ocean, Bustillos practices a variety of yoga techniques: vinyasa, hatha, meditative, quantum and therapeutic, which are different styles that can include the same postures but benefit different things, from a strong body to a peaceful mind. By Daniela Rios, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Last fall, Signal announced an update to protect users from the future risk that tomorrow’s quantum computing will likely break today’s encryption. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 How thin the middle layer of a quantum well can be and still achieve quantum confinement varies between materials. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Jan. 2024 If the lack of snow aroused pleasure, the gray clouds that brought rain may have concealed an event that could have also have created a small quantum of joy. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2024 The Great Game being played in biotech, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing had come to define foreign policy as nations aligned with one another in pursuit of the Singularity. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Anderson wondered what surroundings could contain a quantum escape artist. Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 This type of imaging inverse problem is known as ghost imaging or single-pixel imaging, which was considered to be a quantum effect, was independently explored as dual photography, and can be accelerated by compressive sensing. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 23 Jan. 2024 In addition to quantum RF sensors, Rydberg atoms play important roles in other areas of science. Paul Smith-Goodson, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Gu takes quantum courses at Stanford and has been known to cue up podcasts devoted to the subject. Eddie Pells, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024 The five-year, $5 million grant supports the advancement of quantum information into a new generation of computers, detectors, and materials, as well as establishing the first graduate program in the physical sciences at UAPB, according to UAPB. Ryan Anderson, arkansasonline.com, 25 Dec. 2023 Pseudorandom properties and searches for them have all sorts of applications, from understanding prime numbers to something called quantum chaos (my pick for the area of mathematical physics that would make the best band name). Christopher Lutsko, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2024 Well shielded qubits must also somehow not be shielded very much at all—otherwise the quantum information the qubit contains could never be manipulated by quantum logic gates. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2024 Quantum information gets stored in the nuclear spin of individual atoms, which is relatively stable in terms of maintaining quantum information. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quantum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin, neuter of quantus how much

First Known Use

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quantum was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near quantum

Cite this Entry

“Quantum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantum. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

quantum

1 of 2 noun
quan·​tum ˈkwänt-əm How to pronounce quantum (audio)
plural quanta ˈkwänt-ə How to pronounce quantum (audio)
: the smallest amount of many forms of energy (as light)

quantum

2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to the principles of quantum theory
quantum physics

Medical Definition

quantum

noun
quan·​tum ˈkwänt-əm How to pronounce quantum (audio)
plural quanta ˈkwänt-ə How to pronounce quantum (audio)
1
: one of the very small increments or parcels into which many forms of energy are subdivided
a molecule of rhodopsin in the human eye can cause a response to a single quantum of light
2
: one of the small molecular packets of a neurotransmitter (as acetylcholine) released into the synaptic cleft in the transmission of a nerve impulse across a synapse

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