maser: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very low frequency (highly specialized term)Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “maser” mean?
a device that produces coherent electromagnetic radiation, typically in the microwave region, through stimulated emission.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a device that produces coherent electromagnetic radiation, typically in the microwave region, through stimulated emission; a precursor to the laser, operating at microwave frequencies.
The term can also refer to naturally occurring astronomical phenomena where molecules in space emit microwave radiation through a similar stimulated emission process, creating natural maser sources.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or application. The core technical definition is identical in both dialects.
Connotations
None beyond its scientific/technical context.
Frequency
The word is equally rare and specialized in both British and American English, confined almost exclusively to physics, engineering, and astrophysics literature.
Grammar
How to Use “maser” in a Sentence
The [type] maser operates at [frequency].[Subject] uses a maser to [purpose].A maser was developed for [application].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “maser” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system was designed to maser the signal, but the verb form is highly non-standard and not recommended.
American English
- Early researchers explored how to maser microwave emissions, though 'amplify via maser' is preferred.
adverb
British English
- The signal was amplified maserly — This is a fabricated, non-standard usage.
American English
- The device functioned maser-like, producing a coherent beam. (Hyphenated compound adjective)
adjective
British English
- The maser amplifier provided unprecedented frequency stability for the clock.
American English
- The maser cavity required precise cooling to maintain its operational state.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used outside of highly specialized technology or aerospace companies.
Academic
Used in physics, engineering, and astrophysics research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare. An everyday speaker would almost never encounter or use this word.
Technical
Primary domain. Used to describe a specific class of precision instruments and natural astrophysical phenomena.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “maser”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “maser”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “maser”
- Spelling it as 'mazer' or 'masar'.
- Confusing it with 'laser' in non-technical conversation.
- Using it as a verb (it is almost exclusively a noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A maser produces coherent microwave radiation, while a laser produces coherent visible or infrared light. A laser is essentially an optical-frequency maser.
Yes. While lasers are more common, masers are still crucial in specific high-precision applications, such as atomic clocks (e.g., hydrogen masers), radio astronomy, and deep-space communication, due to their exceptional stability and low noise.
Yes. Astrophysical masers are common in space. Regions around stars or in molecular clouds, containing water vapour, silicon monoxide, or methanol, can act as natural maser amplifiers, emitting intense, narrow-beam microwave radiation.
The first theoretical basis and practical device was developed independently by teams led by Charles H. Townes in the United States and Nikolay Basov and Alexander Prokhorov in the Soviet Union in the early 1950s. Townes, Basov, and Prokhorov shared the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics for this work.
a device that produces coherent electromagnetic radiation, typically in the microwave region, through stimulated emission.
Maser is usually technical / scientific in register.
Maser: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmeɪzə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmeɪzər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There are no established idioms for this highly technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MASER as the microwave cousin of a LASER. Swap the 'L' (Light) for 'M' (Microwave).
Conceptual Metaphor
A 'whispering gallery' for microwaves, where energy is built up coherently and released in a precise beam.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'maser' stand for?