noun
triton
TREYE-tuhn
noun
1
The nucleus of a tritium atom, made up of one proton and two neutrons.
"Physicists studied how a triton behaves in fusion reactions."
2
A type of large sea snail with a pointed spiral shell.
"Divers found a triton shell wedged in the coral reef."
How to Use Triton
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a tiny particle in nuclear physics, or a marine snail — both borrow from the name of the Greek sea god.
Word Forms
tritons plural, tritons plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “triton”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Physicists studied how a _____ behaves in fusion reactions.
Etymology
The physics sense derives from "tritium," from Greek tritos ("third"); the sea-god Triton, son of Poseidon, lends his name to the mollusc and to Neptune's largest moon.