gauge boson

noun

1. physics a boson that mediates the interaction between elementary particles. There are several types: photons for electromagnetic interactions, W and Z intermediate vector bosons for weak interactions, and gravitons for gravitational interactions

1. A boson that acts as a mediator of one of the fundamental forces of nature. The gauge bosons are the photon, which mediates the electromagnetic force, the gluon, which mediates the strong nuclear force, the intermediate vector bosons (the Z boson and the W boson), which mediate the weak nuclear force, and the hypothetical graviton, which mediates gravity. See Table at subatomic particle.