dynamics

1 of 2

noun

dy·​nam·​ics dī-ˈna-miks How to pronounce dynamics (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
physics : a branch of mechanics (see mechanics sense 1) that deals with forces and their relation primarily to the motion but sometimes also to the equilibrium (see equilibrium sense 2) of bodies
2
: a pattern or process of change, growth, or activity
population dynamics
3
: variation and contrast in force or intensity (as in music)

dynamics

2 of 2

plural of dynamic entry 2

Examples of dynamics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying -- and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves. Miss Manners | Judith Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Feb. 2023 Dalene and Hong were able to articulate the formal architecture through careful ensemble shaping of dynamics and rubato, and brought a single understanding to motives and their evolution. Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2023 Experts say that faulty popular perceptions of racial dynamics in policing are only part of the issue. Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2023 Existing models of glacier dynamics and ice discharge underestimate the actual rate of ice loss in recent decades. IEEE Spectrum, 27 Jan. 2023 As should be abundantly clear now, no technology alone can condition humans out of such crowd dynamics. WIRED, 19 Jan. 2023 There's a lot of dynamics to what your record is in early January. Scott Springer, The Enquirer, 18 Jan. 2023 Gideon is a somewhat off-putting and divisive member of the BAU, which creates a slew of interesting dynamics between the team and local law enforcement, and also allows the audience to get to know the agents. Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 13 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dynamics.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

dynam(ic) entry 1 + -ics, after French dynamique dynamic entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dynamics was circa 1789

Dictionary Entries Near dynamics

Cite this Entry

“Dynamics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynamics. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dynamics

noun singular or plural
dy·​nam·​ics dī-ˈnam-iks How to pronounce dynamics (audio)
1
: the science of the motion of bodies and the action of forces in producing or changing their motion
2
: physical, moral, or intellectual forces or the laws relating to them
3
: the pattern of change or growth
4
: variation in force or intensity (as in music)

Medical Definition

dynamics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
dy·​nam·​ics dī-ˈnam-iks How to pronounce dynamics (audio)
1
: a branch of mechanics that deals with forces and their relation primarily to the motion but sometimes also to the equilibrium of bodies
2
3
: the pattern of change or growth of an object or phenomenon
personality dynamics
population dynamics

More from Merriam-Webster on dynamics

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