centrifuge

1 of 2

noun

cen·​tri·​fuge ˈsen-trə-ˌfyüj 

: a machine using centrifugal force for separating substances of different densities, for removing moisture, or for simulating gravitational effects

centrifuge

2 of 2

verb

centrifuged; centrifuging

transitive verb

: to subject to centrifugal action especially in a centrifuge

Examples of centrifuge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The agreement capped Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, reduced its operational centrifuge numbers, required Iran to repurpose its nuclear weapons development facilities, and established more rigorous international inspections to verify compliance. — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026

In preparation, she was confined in progressively smaller spaces, spun in a centrifuge, and trained to eat food in jellied form. — Ethan Teekah All, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Oct. 2026

Verb

Tubes drawn from a patient's arm travel a track that centrifuges them, checks the sample volume and quality and then routes them to whichever analyzer needs them and archives what's left, without the need for a technician. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

These centrifuges separate uranium isotopes, increasing the concentration of uranium-235 required to produce fuel for commercial nuclear reactors. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from centrifuge centrifugal, from New Latin centrifugus

First Known Use

Noun

1866, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for centrifuge

• febrifuge
• subterfuge
• huge
• kluge
• scrooge
• stooge
• ultracentrifuge

Kids Definition

centrifuge

noun

cen·​tri·​fuge

ˈsen-trə-ˌfyüj

: a machine using centrifugal force for separating substances of different densities, for removing moisture, or for causing gravitational effects

Medical Definition

centrifuge

1 of 2 noun

cen·​tri·​fuge ˈsen-trə-ˌfyüj 

: a machine using centrifugal force for separating substances of different densities, for removing moisture, or for simulating gravitational effects

centrifuge

2 of 2 transitive verb

centrifuged; centrifuging

: to subject to centrifugal action especially in a centrifuge