centrifugal force

noun

: the apparent force that is felt by an object moving in a curved path that acts outwardly away from the center of rotation compare centripetal force

Examples of centrifugal force in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And yet the album retains Morphine’s signature ruminative sound, one that draws the listener in as if by centrifugal force. —James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023

Top-speed running is best left for high-banked circle tracks such as Nardo in Italy, where a bit of centrifugal force can help to counteract the slight aerodynamic lift that causes the Diablo to become light and darty at speed. —Frank Markus, Car and Driver, 1 Aug. 2023

In the work, the two dancers cycle through the steps methodically, adding the turns and the crouched spin, clutching each other in resistance to the centrifugal force that pulls them apart. —Brian Seibert, New York Times, 21 July 2023

The machine uses centrifugal force that spins at different speeds to produce different types of coffee and espresso. —Good Housekeeping, 31 July 2023

George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, and the rest accomplished these stunning feats not only in spite of the tactical advantages of the British army and navy, but also in spite of the overwhelming centrifugal forces of disunion and civil wars that were acting on them every day. —Time, 3 July 2023

The accretion disk is held stable by the outward push of centrifugal force generated by its rotation and the inward force of the black hole’s gravitational influence. —Robert Lea, Popular Mechanics, 13 June 2023

Your drawers and cabinets should all have latches, but even latches are known to bust when hit with centrifugal force. —Josh Max, Forbes, 3 May 2023

The tornado flush system uses gravity and centrifugal force to spin away anything that’s in your bowl. —Adria Greenhauff, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

centrifugal force

noun

: the force that tends to cause a thing or parts of a thing to go outward from a center of rotation