bar·y·on  (bār'ē-ŏn')  n. Any of a family of subatomic particles, including the nucleon and hyperon multiplets, that participate in strong interactions, are composed of three quarks, and are generally more massive than mesons. Also called heavy particle. See Table at subatomic particle. [Greek barus, heavy; see gwerə-1 in Indo-European roots + -on1.] bar'y·on'ic adj. |
| heavy particle n. See baryon. |
| heavy particle
A subatomic particle with relatively high mass, especially a baryon. |