quanta

UK: /ˈkwɒntə/ US: (kwon′tə)

From quantum (n): npl: quanta

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

quan•ta  (kwon′tə), n. 

1. Physics pl. of quantum. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

quanta / ˈkwɒntə/ noun

1. the plural of quantum

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

quan•tum /ˈkwɑntəm/   n., pl. -ta adj. 
n. [countable]

1. quantity or amount:
   the least quantum of evidence.
2. Physics the smallest amount by which certain particles in physics can possess, absorb, give off, or change their amount of energy.

adj. [before a noun]

3. of or relating to the study in physics of the smallest amount of energy a particle can possess, absorb, or give off:
   quantum physics.
4. sudden and significant:
   a quantum increase.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

quan•tum  (kwon′təm), n., pl. -ta (-tə),  adj. 

n. 

1. quantity or amount:
   the least quantum of evidence.
2. a particular amount.
3. a share or portion.
4. a large quantity;
   bulk.
5. Physics
   • the smallest quantity of radiant energy, equal to Planck's constant times the frequency of the associated radiation.
   • the fundamental unit of a quantized physical magnitude, as angular momentum.

adj. 

6. sudden and significant:
   a quantum increase in productivity.

• noun, nominal use of neuter of Latin quantus how much 1610–20

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

quantum / ˈkwɒntəm/ noun ( -ta / -tə/)

1. the smallest quantity of some physical property, such as energy, that a system can possess according to the quantum theory
2. a particle with such a unit of energy
3. amount or quantity, esp a specific amount
4. (modifier) loosely, sudden, spectacular, or vitally important: a quantum improvement

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin quantus (adj) how much