quantum

[ kwon-tuhm ]

noun

, plural quan·ta [kwon, -t, uh].

1. quantity or amount:

   the least quantum of evidence.

2. a particular amount.
3. a share or portion.
4. a large quantity; bulk.
5. Physics.
   1. the smallest quantity of radiant energy, equal to Planck's constant times the frequency of the associated radiation.
   2. the fundamental unit of a quantized physical magnitude, as angular momentum.

adjective

1. sudden and significant:

   a quantum increase in productivity.

quantum

/ ˈkwɒntəm /

noun

1. physics
   1. the smallest quantity of some physical property, such as energy, that a system can possess according to the quantum theory
   2. a particle with such a unit of energy
2. amount or quantity, esp a specific amount
3. often used with a negative the least possible amount that can suffice

   there is not a quantum of evidence for your accusation

4. something that can be quantified or measured
5. modifier loosely, sudden, spectacular, or vitally important

   a quantum improvement

quantum

/ kwŏn′təm /

, Plural quanta

1. A discrete, indivisible manifestation of a physical property, such as a force or angular momentum. Some quanta take the form of elementary particles; for example, the quantum of electromagnetic radiation is the photon, while the quanta of the weak force are the W and Z particles.
2. See also quantum state

Word History and Origins

Origin of quantum¹

1610–20; noun use of neuter of Latin quantus how much

Word History and Origins

Origin of quantum¹

C17: from Latin quantus (adj) how much

Example Sentences

In other words, “if you’re building a quantum computer, put it in a basement.”

From MIT Technology Review

There’s no doubt quantum theory is successful at the practical level.

From Nautilus

That is, we don’t need quantum computing or nanotube transistors to augment or replace silicon chips yet.

From Singularity Hub 

What makes the quantum computing competition different from most in the industry is that rivals are taking wildly different approaches.

From Singularity Hub 

Zooming in to that hidden center involves virtual particles — quantum fluctuations that subtly influence each interaction’s outcome.

From Quanta Magazine

He majored in mathematical physics, studying mind-bending theories of quantum mechanics and partial differential equations.

From The Daily Beast

For that reason, researchers have developed a framework to describe quantum theory in combination with general relativity.

From The Daily Beast

Weird as the theory is, invoking “quantum physics” is not an escape clause from obeying physical laws.

From The Daily Beast

Each type of atom and molecule has its own unique spectrum, according to the rules of quantum mechanics.

From The Daily Beast

Which is why it continues to go forward, even as the odds for success dip to the quantum level.

From The Daily Beast

He went off into a happy mist of quantum mechanics, oscillation theory, and periodic functions of a complex variable.

From Project Gutenberg

The man had used a simplified quantum mechanics without correction for relativistic effects.

From Project Gutenberg

The ortho molecules rotate with odd rotational quantum numbers, while the para molecules rotate with even quantum numbers.

From Project Gutenberg

The first is that the papers could be turned into a novel with hardly any important alteration, and with only quantum suff.

From Project Gutenberg

Paretur itaque librorum quantum satis sit, nihil in apparatum.

From Project Gutenberg