linear accelerator

noun

: a device in which charged particles are accelerated in a straight line by successive impulses from a series of electric fields

Examples of linear accelerator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Newer linear accelerators are now incorporating MRIs, which significantly improve visualization of patient anatomy and tumors, further advancing treatment precision and accuracy. Behzad Ebrahimi, Discover Magazine, 5 Jan. 2024 That includes the massive radiation machines, known as linear accelerators, that are designed to aim radiation at cancer tumors. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2023 The following day, Harris Rebar Placing ironworkers used a crane to install a rebar column at the northwest corner of what was to be the front-end building housing the start of the PIP-II linear accelerator. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023 Equipment includes two new linear accelerators, a CT simulator and superficial X-ray. DLR Group is the design firm. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 9 Aug. 2023 The original plan for the SNS called for a conventional linear accelerator made of copper accelerating cavities. Byadrian Cho, science.org, 4 May 2023 Plasma accelerator scientists’ ultimate goal is to realize a linear accelerator that collides tightly focused electron and positron, or electron and electron, beams with a total energy exceeding 1 TeV. Chandrashekhar Joshi, Scientific American, 1 July 2021 To reach such supreme spatial and temporal resolution, a standard XFEL requires a kilometer-long linear accelerator. Bykatie McCormick, science.org, 23 Mar. 2023 The scientists were using a super-heavy ion linear accelerator to bombard atoms with ions as heavy as uranium at relativistic speeds. Connor Lynch, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2021

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

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of linear accelerator was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near linear accelerator

Cite this Entry

“Linear accelerator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linear%20accelerator. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

linear accelerator

noun
: a device in which charged particles are accelerated in a straight line by successive pushes from a series of electric fields

Medical Definition

linear accelerator

noun
: an accelerator in which particles are propelled in a straight line and receive successive increments of energy through the application of alternating potentials to a series of electrodes and gaps

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