- 1a very small piece of something particles of dust dust particles There was not a particle of evidence (= no evidence at all) to support the case.
- 2(physics) a very small piece of matter, such as an electron or a proton, that is part of an atom see alpha particle, elementary particle
- 3(grammar) an adverb or a preposition that can combine with a verb to make a phrasal verb In “She tore up the letter,” the word “up” is a particle. see adverbial particle
Check pronunciation: particle