plural quanta
ˈkwän-tə 
1
: large, significant
a quantum improvement
2
: of, relating to, or employing the principles of quantum mechanics
quantum physics
Synonyms
Examples of quantum in a Sentence
Noun
the sum of human knowledge is now so immense that even a highly educated person can hope to absorb only a tiny quantum of it
Recent Examples on the Web
David Meyer, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024
The countries and firms that develop quantum computing stand to gain a significant advantage in an array of lucrative industries, some experts told ABC News.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
Now Microsoft and the quantum computing firm Quantinuum have announced a system that yields four logical qubits from just 30 physical qubits.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Apr. 2024
Some physicists and philosophers have taken this line of thinking to extreme lengths, arguing for a sort of quantum immortality.
—Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Blood quantum Federally recognized as a U.S. tribe in 1978, there are 21,307 active Pascua Yaqui Tribe members, according to a Sept. 1 Facebook post by the tribe.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2024
As quantum computing is about to become a reality, the importance of open source cannot be overstated.
—Matthias Pfau, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
With the complications of mast cell activation syndrome, including drops in blood pressure, flushing, severe itching and rashes, Ms. Banks relied on alternative therapies, including reiki, hypnosis, emotional freedom technique, quantum healing and regression therapy.
—Alex Williams, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Organizations will explore quantum algorithms and applications.
—Steve Andriole, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Previous research suggested that such quantum error-correction strategies could require at least 1,000 physical qubits per logical qubit.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Apr. 2024
The quantum threat is a global challenge that requires a collaborative response.
—Matthias Pfau, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
All steps of a quantum computation must happen within that time frame.
—Philip Ball, Quanta Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
The physical qubits that make up each virtual qubit are like those oblivious quantum spies.
—Ben Brubaker, WIRED, 17 Mar. 2024
More important than anything is creating awareness of upcoming changes and fostering a mindset shift among the leadership team in terms of the life cycle of quantum projects.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
This approach leverages two optical degrees of freedom—time state and phase state—to encode information in quantum states.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Jan. 2024
Her writing focuses on quantum physics, quantum technology, deep technology, social media, and the diversity of people in these fields, particularly women and people from minority ethnic and racial groups.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Ars Technica, 14 Dec. 2023
Noun
Experts told the publication that the companies’ findings could prove scalable, but a lot of work still remains to make quantum computing an everyday reality.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024
The countries and firms that develop quantum computing stand to gain a significant advantage in an array of lucrative industries, some experts told ABC News.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
Now Microsoft and the quantum computing firm Quantinuum have announced a system that yields four logical qubits from just 30 physical qubits.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Apr. 2024
Some physicists and philosophers have taken this line of thinking to extreme lengths, arguing for a sort of quantum immortality.
—Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Blood quantum Federally recognized as a U.S. tribe in 1978, there are 21,307 active Pascua Yaqui Tribe members, according to a Sept. 1 Facebook post by the tribe.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2024
As quantum computing is about to become a reality, the importance of open source cannot be overstated.
—Matthias Pfau, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
With the complications of mast cell activation syndrome, including drops in blood pressure, flushing, severe itching and rashes, Ms. Banks relied on alternative therapies, including reiki, hypnosis, emotional freedom technique, quantum healing and regression therapy.
—Alex Williams, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Organizations will explore quantum algorithms and applications.
—Steve Andriole, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Instead of branching off from every quantum possibility, this multiverse just generates all the possibilities on its own.
—Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Previous research suggested that such quantum error-correction strategies could require at least 1,000 physical qubits per logical qubit.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Apr. 2024
The quantum threat is a global challenge that requires a collaborative response.
—Matthias Pfau, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
All steps of a quantum computation must happen within that time frame.
—Philip Ball, Quanta Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
The physical qubits that make up each virtual qubit are like those oblivious quantum spies.
—Ben Brubaker, WIRED, 17 Mar. 2024
More important than anything is creating awareness of upcoming changes and fostering a mindset shift among the leadership team in terms of the life cycle of quantum projects.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
This approach leverages two optical degrees of freedom—time state and phase state—to encode information in quantum states.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Jan. 2024
Her writing focuses on quantum physics, quantum technology, deep technology, social media, and the diversity of people in these fields, particularly women and people from minority ethnic and racial groups.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Ars Technica, 14 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quantum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Quantum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantum. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
Medical Definition
quantum
noun
quan·tum
ˈkwänt-əm
plural quanta
ˈkwänt-ə
1
: one of the very small increments or parcels into which many forms of energy are subdivided
a molecule of rhodopsin in the human eye can cause a response to a single quantum of light
2
: one of the small molecular packets of a neurotransmitter (as acetylcholine) released into the synaptic cleft in the transmission of a nerve impulse across a synapse
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