centripetal

adjective

cen·​trip·​e·​tal sen-ˈtri-pə-tᵊl 

1

: proceeding or acting in a direction toward a center or axis

centripetal acceleration of a body

2

: afferent

centripetal nerves

3

: tending toward centralization : unifying

centripetal factors that hold the parts together

centripetally

sen-ˈtri-pə-tə-lē 

adverb

Examples of centripetal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Abiy’s fundamental challenge is that the centrifugal forces in Ethiopia have grown stronger than the centripetal ones. — Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2021

St James’ Park is a centripetal edifice, looming over everything and everyone. — George Caulkin, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025

Both protagonists have, in effect, centrifugal and centripetal conflicts. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025

Control of assets and employment was centripetal, becoming more concentrated over time, while ownership was centrifugal, becoming more dispersed. — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin centripetus, from centr- + Latin petere to go to, seek — more at feather

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing centripetal

• centripetal force

Rhymes for centripetal

• beetle
• fetal
• foetal
• decretal
• varietal

Kids Definition

centripetal

adjective

cen·​trip·​e·​tal sen-ˈtrip-ət-ᵊl 

: proceeding or acting in a direction toward a center or axis

centripetally

-ət-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Medical Definition

centripetal

adjective

cen·​trip·​e·​tal sen-ˈtrip-ət-ᵊl 

: passing inward (as from a sense organ to the brain or spinal cord) : afferent

centripetally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb