Higgs field

noun

A theoretical scalar field associated with electroweak symmetry breaking, the quantum of which is the Higgs boson; interaction with this field is hypothesised to give elementary particles their mass.

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Meanings

nounHiggs field (usually uncountable, plural Higgs fields)

plural Higgs fields

  1. uncountableusuallynatural sciencesA theoretical scalar field associated with electroweak symmetry breaking, the quantum of which is the Higgs boson; interaction with this field is hypothesised to give elementary particles their mass.

Origin

From Higgs (“a surname”) + field; named after British physicist Peter Higgs, who is credited with proposing what is now called the Higgs mechanism.

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Cite this entry
APA

Higgs field. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Higgs%20field

MLA

“Higgs field.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Higgs%20field. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Higgs field,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Higgs%20field.

Source: Higgs field on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.