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 duo’s Be Free Tour builds on their career-long, high-energy, pop/classical mashup, which has reaped five albums, two Grammy nominations and a regular slate of 200 shows a year, including performances for over 100,000 students. — Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

The Nobel committee said his work was instrumental to the construction of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica, which glimpsed the first high-energy neutrinos from faraway galaxies. — Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

This revealed high-energy gamma-rays originating 8 billion light-years away. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Halzen’s idea to use Antarctic ice as a giant detector helped create the IceCube observatory, which has captured high-energy neutrinos from distant galaxies and opened a new form of astronomy. — Kostya Manenkov, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 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