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

The beautiful display of lights results from a form of space weather, according to NASA, when high-energy space particles violently collide with atoms of gas in a planet's atmosphere, close to its magnetic pole. —Alana Wise, NPR, 16 May 2026

Every part of this song is high-energy silliness. —Charlie Harding, Vulture, 15 May 2026

This waste occurs because high-energy electrons generated by sunlight rapidly dissipate their excess energy as heat before they can be converted into useful work. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026

Entanglement between qubits is achieved by exciting atoms into high-energy Rydberg states. —Karl Freund, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026

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