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

If the cosmic inflation that occurred prior to the Big Bang arose because certain high-energy conditions were met, then recreating those conditions and those sufficiently high energies could cause a restoration of the inflationary state. —Big Think, 5 Mar. 2026

During my stay, the location was particularly useful for attending the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Unleash The Beast tour, which brings a fun, high-energy crowd to the area every February. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026

The 200+200 giga-electron volt proton-proton collider was designed to use advanced superconducting magnets cooled by a massive helium refrigeration system to produce high-energy collisions. —IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2026

In 2023, Baker and his colleagues found that eukaryotes appear most closely related to the Heimdall group of Asgard microbes, which have high-energy metabolic pathways. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 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