potential energy

noun

: the energy that a piece of matter has because of its position or nature or because of the arrangement of parts

Examples of potential energy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those fears eased somewhat on Wednesday after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sought to calm concerns about a potential energy shock, arguing that oil markets are well supplied even as tensions escalate in the Middle East. —Sean Conlon,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026

South Korea has already launched an emergency response to prepare for potential energy impacts. —Simmone Shah, Time, 3 Mar. 2026

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), less than 5 percent of the potential energy in nuclear fuel is extracted, even after five years of operation in a commercial reactor. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026

Blocking that flow, for example with a cell membrane, stores up electrical potential energy. —Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for potential energy

• bioenergy

Kids Definition

potential energy

noun

: the amount of energy a thing (as a weight raised to a height or a coiled spring) has because of its position or because of the arrangement of its parts

Medical Definition

potential energy

noun

: the energy that a piece of matter has because of its position or because of the arrangement of parts