Definition of centrifugal
1 : proceeding or acting in a direction away from a center or axis centrifugal acceleration of a body
2 : using or acting by centrifugal force a centrifugal pump
3 : efferent centrifugal nerves of the heart
4 : tending away from centralization : separatist centrifugal tendencies in modern society
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Centrifugal force is what keeps a string with a ball on the end taut when you whirl it around. A centrifuge is a machine that uses centrifugal force. At the end of a washing machine's cycle, it becomes a weak and simple centrifuge as it whirls the water out of your clothes. Centrifuges hundreds of thousands of times as powerful are essential to nuclear technology and drug manufacturing. Part of an astronaut's training occurs in a centrifuge that generates force equal to several times the force of gravity (about like a washing machine) to get them used to the forces they'll encounter in a real space mission.
Origin and Etymology of centrifugal
New Latin centrifugus, from centr- + Latin fugere to flee — more at fugitive
Other Physics Terms
centrifugal
Definition of centrifugal
: a centrifugal machine or a drum in such a machine
First Known Use of centrifugal
1813
Other Mechanical Engineering Terms
CENTRIFUGAL Defined for English Language Learners
centrifugal
playDefinition of centrifugal for English Language Learners
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: moving away from a center : acting in a direction away from a center
Medical Dictionary
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Spanish Central: Translation of centrifugal Nglish: Translation of centrifugal for Spanish speakers
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