kinetic energy

noun

: energy associated with motion

Examples of kinetic energy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Unlike traditional explosive ordnance, the railgun relies on pure kinetic energy for destructive effect, firing inert projectiles at hypersonic speed. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025 This is common in galaxy clusters, where such gas is generally assumed to be superheated by radiation spewed out from supermassive black holes, as well as the huge amount of kinetic energy absorbed as galaxies zoom around in the cluster. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2025 Few world events can conjure the kind of widespread kinetic energy that the FIFA World Cup does. Meredith Heil Bock, AFAR Media, 8 Sep. 2025 The lesson involving the machine at de Zavala, for example, had students learn about kinetic energy. Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kinetic energy

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kinetic energy was in 1870

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Cite this Entry

“Kinetic energy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kinetic%20energy. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

kinetic energy

noun
: energy associated with motion

Medical Definition

kinetic energy

noun
: energy associated with motion

More from Merriam-Webster on kinetic energy

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