Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A hypothetical particle consisting of a very short one-dimensional string existing in ten dimensions. It is the elementary particle in a theory of space-time incorporating supersymmetry.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun physics a hypothetical object consisting of a very small one-dimensional string that vibrates in ten (or more) dimensions

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a hypothetical particle that is the elementary particle in a theory of space-time

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[super(symmetry) + string.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Back-formation from superstring theory, which is a shorthand for supersymmetric string theory.

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Examples

  • Recently, a theory called the superstring theory has attempted to explain that particles are not the smallest form in the world but rather small vibrating loops called strings.

    Is Nima Arkani Hamed the Next Albert Einstein? 2008

  • However, particle physicists (such as superstring theorists) tended to view black holes as being just another quantum state.

    Singularities and Black Holes Curiel, Erik 2009

  • Namasmaran is thus a key to unravel and experience the 'superstring' that links the whole of the universe.

    Recently Uploaded Slideshows 2009

  • "superstring" theory 20 years ago, it has evolved from "strings" to "membranes," although all forms of the theory propose extra dimensions (11, in fact).

    CNN.com 2010

  • In addition to the four factors listed above, the inflationary/superstring many-universes generator can only produce life-sustaining universes because the right background laws are in place.

    A Fine-Tuned Multiverse 2010

  • As explained above, superstring theory might allow enough variation in the variations in the constants of physics among bubble universes to make it reasonably likely that a fine-tuned universe would be produced.

    A Fine-Tuned Multiverse 2010

  • A: Well, a superstring -- like a very, very thin rubber band -- is an object with only one dimension, the dimension that extends along its own length.

    A Conversation with Brian Greene 2010

  • It is argued that this means that superstring theory is no more a part of science than is Intelligent Design.

    Another Look 2009

  • The point is that superstring theory was initially thought to only contain strings.

    A Conversation with Brian Greene 2010

  • The inflationary/superstring many-universes generator can only produce life-sustaining universes because it has the following “components” or “mechanisms:”

    A Fine-Tuned Multiverse 2010

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