high-energy

adjective

high-en·​er·​gy ˈhī-ˈe-nər-jē 

1

a

: having such speed and kinetic energy as to exhibit relativistic departure from classical laws of motion

—used especially of elementary particles whose velocity has been imparted by an accelerator

b

: of or relating to high-energy particles

2

: yielding a relatively large amount of energy when undergoing hydrolysis

Examples of high-energy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of those affected believe that they were wounded by a secret weapon that fires a high-energy beam of microwaves or ultrasound. —CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026

That would power more than 5 million homes during high-energy times, the company said. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2026

What the team found was this black hole never produced powerful winds and high-energy jets at the same time, even though the accretion disk and the matter stripped from the companion star restocking this disk stayed consistent. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Jan. 2026

This colorful, high-energy show loved by preschoolers the world over is raising the curtain on its second season on January 30, 2026. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for high-energy

• bioenergy
• energy

Medical Definition

high-energy

adjective

: yielding a relatively large amount of energy when undergoing hydrolysis

high-energy phosphate bonds in ATP