WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
mass′ de′fect, [Physics.]
  1. Physicsthe amount by which the mass of an atomic nucleus differs from the sum of the masses of its constituent particles, being the mass equivalent of the energy released in the formation of the nucleus. Cf. binding energy. 
  • 1925–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
mass defect
  1. the amount by which the mass of a particular nucleus is less than the total mass of its constituent particles
'mass defect' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
binding energy - packing fraction

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