What does nanoparticle mean?
A nanoparticle is an extremely small piece of matter whose dimensions are measured on the nanometre scale, generally less than 100 nanometres in at least one dimension. The term is used in fields including medicine, materials science, chemistry, electronics, and environmental science. Nanoparticles may be made from metals, polymers, ceramics, or organic substances, and their small size can give them properties that differ from those of the same material in bulk form. They may also carry medicines or biological molecules to particular locations. In medicine, for example, nanoparticles are studied as carriers that can help drugs reach tissues while reducing certain side effects. The word can refer to individual particles or, in the plural, to a class of such particles. Its use is primarily technical, although public discussion of nanotechnology often presents nanoparticles as a way to manipulate materials at a scale invisible to ordinary observation.
nounA particle of matter whose dimensions are measured on the nanometre scale, typically less than 100 nanometres in at least one dimension. Nanoparticles may consist of a wide range of materials and can have properties that differ from those of the same material in bulk form.
- An extremely small particle of matter, typically measured in nanometres, that may have physical, chemical, or biological properties distinct from those of the same material in bulk.
"The researchers coated each nanoparticle with a molecule that targets receptors on cancer cells."
"Silver nanoparticles are being investigated for their antimicrobial properties."
"The drug was encapsulated in nanoparticles designed to reach the affected tissue."
Use the plural for multiple individual nanoparticles or when referring to nanoparticles as a general class.
"The test detected carbon nanoparticles in the water."
At nanometre scale, a material can behave differently from its bulk form, giving nanoparticles properties their larger counterparts do not have.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nanoparticle come from?
The word combines the combining form nano-, derived from Greek nanos, meaning “dwarf” or “very small,” with particle, which comes from Latin particula, a diminutive of pars, meaning “part.” The nano- prefix was adopted into the metric prefix system for quantities one billionth of a unit, while nanoparticle developed as a scientific term for particles measured on that scale. Its close relatives include nanometer, nanosecond, and nanogram.
Related word forms
How nanoparticle is actually used
This is a technical term used chiefly in science, medicine, materials science, and nanotechnology. It is usually plural when a general class of particles is discussed, while the singular is used for a particular individual particle.
Easily confused with nanoparticle
A microparticle is generally larger than a nanoparticle, with dimensions measured in micrometres rather than nanometres.