quantum chromodynamics: Meaning and Definition of

quan'tum chromodynam'ics

Pronunciation: [key]
— Physics. Physics.
  1. a quantum field theory that describes quarks and gluons and their interactions, with the color of the quarks playing a role analogous to that of electric charge. Abbr.: QCD Also calledCf.(def. 18).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.