ScienceAugust 15, 2026
baryonic
bar-ee-ON-ik
Definition
Relating to or consisting of baryons, the class of subatomic particles—such as protons and neutrons—that constitute the vast majority of the mass of ordinary, observable matter.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word 'barys', meaning 'heavy', combined with the suffix '-ic'. It was coined in physics to describe particles that are heavier than electrons.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the type of matter that makes up stars, galaxies, and our bodies, noting that much of this 'baryonic' matter from the early universe remains missing or difficult to detect.
Diffuse puffs of “missing” matter surround most galaxies
Read the full article ↗Technology Org