weak force

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

weak′ force′, [Physics.]

1. Physics a force between elementary particles that causes certain processes that take place with low probability, as radioactive beta-decay and collisions between neutrinos and other particles. Also called weak′ interac′tion force′. Cf. weak interaction. 

• 1965–70

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

weak′ interac′tion, [Physics.]

1. Physics the interaction between elementary particles and the intermediate vector bosons that carry the weak force from one particle to another.

• 1960–65

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

weak interaction, weak force noun

1. an interaction between elementary particles that is responsible for certain decay processes, operates at distances less than about 10^–15 metres, and is 10¹² times weaker than the strong interaction. The weak interaction and electromagnetic interactions are now described by the unifying electroweak theory
   Also called: weak nuclear interaction, weak nuclear force
   See interaction2, electroweak interaction