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

Rebuilding an economy over rebuilding centrifuges or sustaining criminal enterprises. —Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026

The new centrifuge is about 46% more extreme in its capacity. —New Atlas, 7 Jan. 2026

Verb

Built by Shanghai Electric Nuclear Power Group as part of China's Centrifugal Hypergravity and Interdisciplinary Experiment Facility (CHIEF), CHIEF1900 will soon function at 1,900 g-tonnes, surpassing the previously most powerful centrifuge the CHIEF1300. —New Atlas, 7 Jan. 2026

The site has six above-ground buildings and three underground structures, which house centrifuges – a key technology in nuclear enrichment, turning uranium into nuclear fuel. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 23 June 2025

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