Definition of centrifugal force
: 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
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Recent Examples of centrifugal force from the Web
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The design lets the tires hurl water away via centrifugal force.
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Meanwhile, the centrifugal force of grief pulled the family apart.
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The driver’s considerable skills and centrifugal force are keeping you on the track.
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The special wheels are necessary because the centrifugal force generated from the high speeds would fling rubber tires off the rims.
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The centrifugal forces pulling Europe apart would finally overwhelm the centripetal forces binding it together.
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The centrifugal force of the Earth would pull water from the poles to the equator, raising the water level there by 100 meters.
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And because air always tries to flow from high pressure to low pressure, this second force acts inward, countering the centrifugal force and keeping the hurricane compact.
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The multinational and multi-confessional federations and empires of Europe and the Middle East were pulled apart by the centrifugal forces of modernization.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'centrifugal force.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of centrifugal force
1698
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE Defined for English Language Learners
centrifugal force
Definition of centrifugal force for English Language Learners
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physics : a force that causes an object moving in a circular path to move out and away from the center of its path
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE Defined for Kids
centrifugal force
Definition of centrifugal force for Students
: the force that tends to cause a thing or parts of a thing to go outward from a center of rotation
Learn More about centrifugal force
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Spanish Central: Translation of centrifugal force Nglish: Translation of centrifugal force for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about centrifugal force
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