Definition: Higgs boson

An elementary atomic particle observed to be real at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland in 2012. With 99.9% certainty, the Higgs boson, pronounced "bow-son," is said to be what gives other particles mass. Heavier in atomic weight, it is considered the "glue of the universe."

The Higgs boson was postulated by three scientists in the 1960s: Peter Higgs, Francois Englert and Tom Kibble, all of whom were present in Geneva when the discovery was officially announced.

Higgs Is One of Several Bosons
Named after theoretical physicist Satyendra Nath Bose for his work in quantum mechanics in the 1920s, five bosons (photon, gluon, W boson, Z boson and graviton) function as "force carriers" that propel the forces in nature.

The photon is responsible for the electromagnetic force; the gluon for the strong nuclear force; W and Z bosons for the weak nuclear force, and although not yet proven, the graviton causes gravity. See atom, quantum state, quantum mechanics and particle accelerator.

The God Particle

Higgs is also called the "God Particle" after Leon Lederman's book, written two decades before it was finally observed. The book takes the reader through 2,500 years of physics with a sense of humor and an uncanny way of teaching the subject.