joule

noun

ˈjül How to pronounce joule (audio)
also nonstandard
ˈjau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce joule (audio)
: a unit of work or energy equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting through a distance of one meter

Examples of joule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That means the pyramid’s potential energy is about 2.4 trillion joules. IEEE Spectrum, 27 May 2020 Weather models are projecting up to 150 joules per kilogram of convective energy across portions of Northern California. Gerry Díaz, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Mar. 2023 The instruments clocked the cosmic ray at about 240 exa-electron volts, or about 40 joules of energy. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023 The Joule, the Calorie, and the (Other) Calorie In physics, our preferred unit for energy is the joule. Rhett Allain, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2023 Someone absorbing four grays (equivalent to four joules of radiation energy per kilogram of body weight) would have a 50 percent chance of dying, but people sheltering in bigger buildings would receive smaller doses. Sébastien Philippe, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023 Your smartphone’s battery stores about 10,000 joules. Rhett Allain, WIRED, 14 July 2023 Gasoline stores about 34 million joules per liter (or 128 million joules per gallon). Rhett Allain, WIRED, 14 July 2023 However, in an interesting twist, scientists also found that cooking with a smaller flame produced more benzene per joule of gas consumed. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'joule.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

James P. Joule

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of joule was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near joule

Cite this Entry

“Joule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joule. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

joule

noun
: a unit of work or energy equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting through a distance of one meter

Medical Definition

joule

noun
: a unit of work or energy equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting through a distance of one meter

Biographical Definition

Joule

biographical name

James Prescott 1818–1889 English physicist

More from Merriam-Webster on joule

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!