dy·nam·ic
dī-ˈna-mik 
1
a
: marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change
a dynamic city
2
or less commonly dynamical
a
: of or relating to physical force or energy
The dynamic properties of polymers and composites are directly relevant to the use of these materials for controlling vibrations in structures such as machinery …—
Bryan Eric Read and Gregory Donald Dean
Bryan Eric Read and Gregory Donald Dean
b
: of or relating to dynamics (see dynamics entry 1)
… classical Hamiltonian mechanics is presented, in which each particle is described by the eight dynamic variables of position, time, momentum, and energy.—Philip M. Pearle
Philip M. Pearle3
of random-access memory
: requiring periodic refreshment of charge in order to retain data
plural dynamics
1
a
: a force or factor that controls or influences a process of growth, change, interaction, or activity : a dynamic force or factor
the supply and demand dynamic in the real estate market
a key dynamic in the population's decline
… describes a world order that seems to be evolving from ideology as the principal dynamic …—Woody West
see also dynamics entry 1
Woody West
b
: a pattern or process resulting from such control or influence : dynamics sense 2
the factors behind the current market dynamic
2
: a particular way that two or more people interact with one another determined by context, social roles, etc.
family dynamics
the dynamic between a doctor and a patient
The team has a good dynamic.
the group's gender/power dynamics [=the way gender/power differences affect the group's interactions]
Examples of dynamic in a Sentence
Adjective
… tournament blackjack is more dynamic, and more complex, than simply playing against the house.
—Michael Kaplan, Cigar Aficionado, December 2002
Indeed, one of the most dynamic influences on family life and society in the last century was the extension of concepts to individual worth and human rights.
—Perdita Huston, Ms., December 2001/January 2002
The new dynamic duo have little in common but a bright orange ball.
—Stephen Rodrick, ESPN, 3 Apr. 2000
an exciting and dynamic performance
the dynamic theory of heat
Noun
… the high-tech world is, at heart, a cruel, unforgiving place ruled by the merciless dynamics of the marketplace.
—Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 27 June 2002
… my memory of specific events is sketchy, but the general emotional flavor is engraved on my mind as a classic example of my family's bent dynamic.
—Florence King, National Review, 15 Oct. 2001
… the Cambrian Explosion, created the evolutionary dynamic that produced most of the species that subsequently populated the earth, from insects and fish to dinosaurs and humans.
—J. Madeleine Nash, Time, 20 Aug. 2001
Raisons d'état, not the dynamics of capitalism, created the American thrust for world influence.
—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986
the dynamic between a doctor and a patient
Group dynamics are important to consider.
The dynamics of this class are different from those of other classes.
Disease was a central dynamic in the decrease in population.
a study on famine and population dynamics
Michael Kaplan, Cigar Aficionado, December 2002
Indeed, one of the most dynamic influences on family life and society in the last century was the extension of concepts to individual worth and human rights.
—Perdita Huston, Ms., December 2001/January 2002
The new dynamic duo have little in common but a bright orange ball.
—Stephen Rodrick, ESPN, 3 Apr. 2000
an exciting and dynamic performance
the dynamic theory of heat
Noun
… the high-tech world is, at heart, a cruel, unforgiving place ruled by the merciless dynamics of the marketplace.
—Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 27 June 2002
… my memory of specific events is sketchy, but the general emotional flavor is engraved on my mind as a classic example of my family's bent dynamic.
—Florence King, National Review, 15 Oct. 2001
… the Cambrian Explosion, created the evolutionary dynamic that produced most of the species that subsequently populated the earth, from insects and fish to dinosaurs and humans.
—J. Madeleine Nash, Time, 20 Aug. 2001
Raisons d'état, not the dynamics of capitalism, created the American thrust for world influence.
—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986
the dynamic between a doctor and a patient
Group dynamics are important to consider.
The dynamics of this class are different from those of other classes.
Disease was a central dynamic in the decrease in population.
a study on famine and population dynamics
Recent Examples on the Web
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Of course, like any dynamic sport, basketball carries some risk of injury.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
Introduced to baseball by her great-grandmother, who took her to countless games, Clark developed an early appreciation for competition, focus, and team dynamics.
—William Jones, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dynamic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Its efficiency and responsiveness enable the robot to operate safely and autonomously in dynamic industrial environments, as per the release.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Of course, like any dynamic sport, basketball carries some risk of injury.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
However, declining shopper traffic in malls, the ongoing consumer migration toward e-commerce and the pandemic altered the dynamic between the two mall competitors.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
Introduced to baseball by her great-grandmother, who took her to countless games, Clark developed an early appreciation for competition, focus, and team dynamics.
—William Jones, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dynamic
Cite this Entry
“Dynamic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynamic. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
dynamic
adjective
dy·nam·ic
dī-ˈnam-ik
1
2
: functional sense 1b
a dynamic disease
3
a
: marked by continuous usually productive activity or change
a dynamic population
b
: marked by energy or forcefulness
a dynamic personality
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share