physics

noun

phys·​ics ˈfi-ziks 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

: a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions

2

a

: the physical processes and phenomena of a particular system

b

: the physical properties and composition of something

Examples of physics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Separately, the modeling team, led by chemical engineer Scott Roberts, then used data from these lab experiments to develop a computer model of the heat-shield material properties, aerodynamics, and heat-transfer physics of a flying hypersonic vehicle. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 16 Dec. 2025

According to Loureiro’s faculty page, the professor majored in physics at the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2000 and earned a doctorate in physics at Imperial College London, UK, in 2005. —Alexandra Koch , Greg Wehner , Molly Line, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025

The benchmark contains questions in physics, chemistry, and biology in two tiers of difficulty. —Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 16 Dec. 2025

But today, many of my colleagues in physics no longer agree with such dismissals. —Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin physica, plural, natural science, from Greek physika, from neuter plural of physikos of nature, from physis growth, nature, from phyein to bring forth — more at be

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing physics

• high-energy physics
• particle physics

Rhymes for physics

• astrophysics
• geophysics
• metaphysics
• tectonophysics

Kids Definition

physics

noun

phys·​ics ˈfiz-iks 

1

: a science that deals with matter and energy and their actions upon each other in the fields of mechanics, heat, light, electricity, sound, and the atomic nucleus

2

: physical composition, characteristics, or processes

the physics of sound

Medical Definition

physics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

phys·​ics ˈfiz-iks 

: a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions in the fields of mechanics, acoustics, optics, heat, electricity, magnetism, radiation, atomic structure, and nuclear phenomena