quasicrystal

noun

qua·​si·​crys·​tal ˈkwā-ˌzī-ˌkri-stᵊl How to pronounce quasicrystal (audio)
-sī-,
ˈkwä-zē-,
-sē-
: a body of solid material that resembles a crystal in being composed of repeating structural units but that incorporates two or more unit cells into a quasiperiodic structure
quasicrystalline
ˈkwā-ˌzī-ˌkri-stə-lən How to pronounce quasicrystal (audio)
-sī-
ˈkwä-zē-
-sē-
 also  -ˌlīn
-ˌlēn
adjective

Examples of quasicrystal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For decades, scientists considered quasicrystals an impossibility. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 26 July 2023 Since then, scientists have even found some (but not many) quasicrystals in nature. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 26 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quasicrystal was in 1922

Rhymes for quasicrystal

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quasi corporation
quasicrystal
quasi deposit
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Cite this Entry

“Quasicrystal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quasicrystal. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on quasicrystal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quasicrystal

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