Dalton

/ˈdɔltən/ name, noun

name, noun ·Moderate ·College level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: a former unit of atomic mass equivalent to 1/16 the mass of an oxygen atom; now replaced by the atomic mass unit (or dalton)
  • Grammar: dalton is listed as name, noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: amu, atomic mass unit, family name, forename.
  • Useful contrasts: given name, surname.
  • Usage evidence: John Dalton created the Atomic Theory.

How to use "dalton"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dalton" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dalton" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dalton" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dalton" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "dalton" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "amu" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "dalton", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    a former unit of atomic mass equivalent to 1/16 the mass of an oxygen atom; now replaced by the atomic mass unit (or dalton)
  2. 2
    the atomic mass unit
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A habitational surname from Old English.
  2. 2
    A habitational surname from Old English.; John Dalton, English chemist.
  3. 3
    A male given name transferred from the surname.

    "In 2015, Katie and Dalton Prager became known around the world as “the real ‘Fault in Our Stars’ couple” after CNN wrote about their love story."

  4. 4
    Any of several places in the north of England and in Scotland:; A hamlet in Burton-in-Kendal parish, Cumbria, England (OS grid ref SD5476).
  5. 5
    Any of several places in the north of England and in Scotland:; A hamlet and civil parish in West Lancashire district, Lancashire, England, north of Skelmersdale (OS grid ref SD4908).
Show 28 more definitions
  1. 6
    Any of several places in the north of England and in Scotland:; A hamlet in Hexhamshire parish, south of Hexham, Northumberland, England (OS grid ref NY9158).
  2. 7
    Any of several places in the north of England and in Scotland:; A hamlet in Stamfordham parish, west of Ponteland, Northumberland (OS grid ref NZ1172)
  3. 8
    Any of several places in the north of England and in Scotland:; A village and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England, previously in Hambleton district (OS grid ref SE4376).
  4. 9
    Any of several places in the north of England and in Scotland:; A village and civil parish in North Yorkshire, previously in Richmondshire district (OS grid ref NZ1108).
  5. 10
    Any of several places in the north of England and in Scotland:; A village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England (OS grid ref SK4594).
  6. 11
    Any of several places in the north of England and in Scotland:; An eastern suburb of Huddersfield, Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England (OS grid ref SE1617).
  7. 12
    Any of several places in the north of England and in Scotland:; A hamlet in Dumfriesshire, Dumfries and Galloway council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NY1174).
  8. 13
    Any of several places in the north of England and in Scotland:; A hamlet near Flemington, South Lanarkshire council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NS6658).
  9. 14
    A number of places in the United States:; A city, the county seat of Whitfield County, Georgia.
  10. 15
    A number of places in the United States:; A township and unincorporated community therein, in Wayne County, Indiana.
  11. 16
    A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Sumner County, Kansas.
  12. 17
    A number of places in the United States:; A town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
  13. 18
    A number of places in the United States:; A township in Muskegon County, Michigan.
  14. 19
    A number of places in the United States:; A minor city in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
  15. 20
    A number of places in the United States:; A small village in Chariton County, Missouri.
  16. 21
    A number of places in the United States:; A village in Cheyenne County, Nebraska.
  17. 22
    A number of places in the United States:; A town in Coos County, New Hampshire.
  18. 23
    A number of places in the United States:; A hamlet and census-designated place in Nunda and Portage, Livingston County, New York.
  19. 24
    A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Stokes County, North Carolina.
  20. 25
    A number of places in the United States:; A village in Wayne County, Ohio.
  21. 26
    A number of places in the United States:; A borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
  22. 27
    A number of places in the United States:; A census-designated place in Kingston, Green Lake County, Wisconsin.
  23. 28
    An abandoned village in Unorganized North Algoma District, Ontario, Canada; some buildings are used as summer cottages.
  24. 29
    A township within Kawartha Lakes, Ontario.
  25. 30
    A village in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
  26. 31
    A locality in the Upper Lachlan council area, south eastern New South Wales, Australia.
  27. 32
    A settlement (moshav) in northern Israel.
  28. 33
    Ellipsis of Dalton Highway. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis

Synonyms

All synonyms
amuatomic mass unitfamily nameforenamegiven namelast name

Antonyms

given namesurname

Example

"John Dalton created the Atomic Theory."

Common questions

What does "dalton" mean?

a former unit of atomic mass equivalent to 1/16 the mass of an oxygen atom; now replaced by the atomic mass unit (or dalton)

What is a synonym for "dalton"?

Common synonyms include: amu, atomic mass unit, family name, forename, given name, last name.

How do you use "dalton" in a sentence?

John Dalton created the Atomic Theory.

How do you pronounce "dalton"?

Pronounced /ˈdɔltən/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Old English dæl (“valley”) + tun (“settlement”). Equivalent to dale + town.

Etymology 2

Named after the chemist John Dalton.

More for "dalton"

Synonyms

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