high-energy

adjective

high-en·​er·​gy ˈhī-ˈe-nər-jē 

1

a

: having such speed and kinetic energy as to exhibit relativistic departure from classical laws of motion

—used especially of elementary particles whose velocity has been imparted by an accelerator

b

: of or relating to high-energy particles

2

: yielding a relatively large amount of energy when undergoing hydrolysis

Examples of high-energy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cerro Paranal is also home to the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's most powerful observatory for research of high-energy gamma rays, extremely energetic radiation emitted from black holes and released in supernova explosions. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025

Cosmic winds unleashed NGC 3783’s black hole sits inside an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) — a chaotic zone where material spirals inward, magnetic fields snap and twist, and jets of high-energy particles tear outward. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025

At this exclusive, high-energy event, the world’s most innovative leaders will convene to explore how AI, humanity, and strategy converge to redefine, again, the future of work. —Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025

Astronomers first spotted this primordial supernova in March, thanks to a 10-second-long flash of high-energy light known as a gamma-ray burst. —Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for high-energy

• bioenergy
• energy

Medical Definition

high-energy

adjective

: yielding a relatively large amount of energy when undergoing hydrolysis

high-energy phosphate bonds in ATP