physics

noun

phys·​ics ˈfi-ziks 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

: a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions

2

a

: the physical processes and phenomena of a particular system

b

: the physical properties and composition of something

Examples of physics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Born and raised in Milledgeville, Georgia, Cook attended Spelman College in Atlanta, initially studying physics and philosophy. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

But what’s interesting is that there are situations (not necessarily applicable here) where a car with superhuman physics abilities could take steps a human could not. — Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

This approach, therefore, reflects a broader push to use AI throughout particle-physics experiments, where increasingly complex facilities are producing more data than conventional methods can easily handle. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026

Joe Conti, an independent researcher and physics enthusiast based in Massachusetts, is inviting eclipse observers across Iceland and Spain to capture the optical mystery on their smartphones as part of a citizen science project. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin physica, plural, natural science, from Greek physika, from neuter plural of physikos of nature, from physis growth, nature, from phyein to bring forth — more at be

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing physics

• high-energy physics
• particle physics

Rhymes for physics

• astrophysics
• geophysics
• metaphysics
• tectonophysics

Kids Definition

physics

noun

phys·​ics ˈfiz-iks 

1

: a science that deals with matter and energy and their actions upon each other in the fields of mechanics, heat, light, electricity, sound, and the atomic nucleus

2

: physical composition, characteristics, or processes

the physics of sound

Medical Definition

physics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

phys·​ics ˈfiz-iks 

: a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions in the fields of mechanics, acoustics, optics, heat, electricity, magnetism, radiation, atomic structure, and nuclear phenomena