quantum

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈkwɒntəm/ 🇺🇸 /ˈkwɑntəm/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction; the smallest discrete unit of a physical property, especially energy or matter.; A discrete quantity or amount; a portion or share of something.; In law, a specified amount or quantity, especially the amount of damages awarded.; A sudden, significant change or leap, as in a quantum leap or quantum jump.
  2. adjective
    Relating to or based on the theory of quantum mechanics; involving discrete quantities of energy or matter.; Of or relating to a quantum leap; sudden and dramatic.; In law, relating to the amount or extent of something, as in quantum meruit (as much as is deserved).

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: quanta, quantums

Collocations

quantum leapquantum mechanicsquantum physicsquantum theoryquantum computingquantum entanglement

Derivatives

quantizequantizationquantityquantifyquantitativequantifiable

Synonyms

amountquantityportionmeasurepacket

Antonyms

continuum

Commonly confused

quantity
EN: 'Quantum' refers to a discrete, indivisible minimum unit (especially in physics), while 'quantity' is a general term for any amount or measure.
quorum
EN: 'Quorum' is the minimum number of members needed to conduct business; 'quantum' is a discrete unit of energy or matter.

Spelling tips

EN: The standard scientific plural is 'quanta' (Latin plural), not 'quantums,' though 'quantums' is occasionally accepted in informal usage.

💬 Examples

  1. A photon is a quantum of electromagnetic energy.

  2. Each investor received their quantum of the profits.

  3. The court determined the quantum of damages to be awarded to the plaintiff.

  4. The discovery represented a quantum in our understanding of genetics.

  5. Quantum computing uses qubits to perform calculations at unprecedented speeds.

  6. The company made a quantum improvement in efficiency after restructuring.

  7. The contractor filed a quantum meruit claim for the work already completed.