nanometer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nanometer" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in scientific and technical contexts to refer to a unit of measurement equal to one billionth of a meter, often in fields like physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology. Example: "The width of a human hair is approximately 80,000 to 100,000 nanometers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Angstrom, unit of length used chiefly in measuring wavelengths of light, equal to 10−10 metre, or 0.1 nanometer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moving over the nucleus nanometer by nanometer, taking a snap at each stop, the machine then produces an image of the nuclear molecules.

The New Yorker

After the location of an atom has been shifted, even by as little as a nanometer, the result can be read as a change in the resistance of the material.

The New York Times - Science

Imagine it: a flower blossoming inside the brain, nanometer stalks splitting away from a micrometer stem.

The New York Times - Science

Nanoparticles are really little; a nanometer is a billionth of a meter.

The New York Times

In laboratory experiments, researchers led by Bryant C. Nelson, a NIST biochemist, tested copper oxide nanoparticles ranging in size from one nanometer to 100 nanometers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

TSMC's latest 28-nanometer chip was oversubscribed by existing customers to the point of shortage in 2012, and many believe the company does not have enough capacity for a large Apple order in 2013.

The New York Times

The upgraded plants will pave the way for higher-performing and sleeker electronic devices by allowing Intel to produce a new generation of 22-nanometer chips.

The New York Times - Tech

A year from now Intel plans to produce a whole new version for 14-nanometer wires, called Airmont.

The New York Times

The most advanced transistor technology today is based on minimum feature sizes of 30 to 40 nanometers — by contrast a biological virus is typically about 100 nanometers — and Dr. Williams said that H.P. now has working 3-nanometer memristors that can switch on and off in about a nanosecond, or a billionth of a second.

The New York Times - Science

In the past year, TSMC has significantly increased its capital spending to move more aggressively into the cutting-edge technologies of 20- and 16-nanometer chips, which are smaller and can run faster on less power.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sizes at the atomic or molecular level, use "nanometer" to provide a clear and universally understood unit of measurement. For example, specify that "the diameter of the nanoparticle is 5 nanometers" rather than simply saying it is 'very small'.

Common error

Avoid using "nanometer" interchangeably with micrometer or other units. A nanometer is one thousandth of a micrometer. Always verify the correct scale to ensure accuracy in your descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nanometer" is as a noun, typically used as a unit of measurement in scientific and technical contexts. As Ludwig AI Examples show, it quantifies dimensions at the atomic and molecular level.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

48%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "nanometer" functions as a noun representing a unit of measurement equal to one billionth of a meter, predominantly used in scientific and technical fields. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in reputable sources such as The New York Times, Britannica, and scientific publications. While its usage is common, it's crucial to distinguish it from other units like micrometers to maintain accuracy. Alternative phrases include "billionth of a meter" and "10^-9 meter". When writing, use "nanometer" to describe sizes at the atomic or molecular level, ensuring precise communication of nanoscale dimensions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

billionth of a meter

This alternative provides a direct definition of "nanometer" using common units of measurement.

10^-9 meter

Expresses "nanometer" in scientific notation, emphasizing its relationship to the meter.

one billionth of a metre

A complete spelling out of its meaning. Using 'metre' to add a British English alternative.

unit of length at the nanoscale

Describes "nanometer" in terms of its application within the field of nanotechnology.

measurement at the atomic scale

Highlights the relevance of "nanometer" to measuring objects at an atomic level.

dimension of a nanostructure

Relates "nanometer" to the physical characteristics of nanostructures.

nanoscale dimension

A different way to express length or measurement in the context of nanoscience.

length on the order of 1 nm

Puts "nanometer" into a broader context of magnitude and order.

molecular scale measurement

Connects the measurement scale to molecules.

quantum realm measurement

Suggests the importance of the unit in quantum studies.

FAQs

How do you use "nanometer" in a sentence?

The word "nanometer" is used to define very small lengths, especially when dealing with atoms, molecules, and nanotechnology. For example: "The carbon nanotube had a diameter of approximately one nanometer."

What is a common way to define "nanometer"?

A common definition of "nanometer" is that it is one billionth of a meter. It can also be expressed as 10^-9 meters, or 0.000000001 meters.

What fields of science use the term "nanometer"?

The term "nanometer" is frequently used in fields like physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering, particularly in the sub-disciplines focusing on nanotechnology and nanoscience.

Is there a difference between "nanometer" and "nanometre"?

No, there is no significant difference between "nanometer" and "nanometre". The former is the American English spelling, while the latter is the British English spelling of the same unit of measurement.