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

For the minute repeater, Vacheron Constantin created a proprietary centripetal regulator that controls the cadence of the mechanism, allowing the hammers to be struck at precise intervals. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 13 May 2025

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

Without a compelling and widely shared vision for the Ethiopian state, neither Abiy nor any potential successor will be able to prevent the centrifugal forces from overwhelming the centripetal ones. —Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2021

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

• acetyl
• bimetal
• decretal
• varietal
• beetle
• fetal
• foetal

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