pion

noun Physics.

1. the first meson to be discovered: it has spin 0 and may be positively or negatively charged or neutral; charged pions decay into a muon and a neutrino or antineutrino. Symbol: π

noun

1. physics a meson having a positive or negative charge and a rest mass 273.13 times that of the electron, or no charge and a rest mass 264.14 times that of the electron

n.1951, from Greek letter pi + -on.

1. A meson occurring either in a neutral form with a mass 264 times that of an electron and a mean lifetime of 8.4 X 10-17 seconds or in a positively or negatively charged form with a mass 273 times that of an electron and a mean lifetime of 2.6 X 10-8 seconds. The pion was once believed to be the particle that mediates the strong force, which holds nucleons together in the nucleus; it is now believed that the gluon is the mediator particle. Pions do interact with nucleons, however, and are able to transform neutrons into protons and vice versa. Also called pi-meson See Table at subatomic particle.