supercritical
adjective
su·per·crit·i·cal
ˌsü-pər-ˈkri-ti-kəl 
: being or having a temperature above a critical temperature
supercritical fluid
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
In a study recently published in the Journal of Environmental Engineering, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that a heat- and pressure-based technique known as supercritical water oxidation destroyed 99 percent of the PFASs present in a water sample.
—
Lars Fischer, Scientific American, 31 Jan. 2022
All the water that percolates through the crust over volcanoes can heat up (sometimes to the point of becoming a supercritical fluid) and as those fluids move, the accompanying change in pressure can fracture the rocks around the fluid.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2015
Similarly, when humans are sleep deprived, their brains become supercritical, although a good night’s sleep can move them back toward the critical point.
—John M. Beggs, Quanta Magazine, 31 Jan. 2023
In the case of our trial, a tonne of mineralized CO₂ via carbonated water cost about US$17, roughly twice that of using supercritical CO₂ for storage.
—Dom Wolff-boenisch, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2016
The brand also uses the supercritical CO2 extraction process that preserves hemp’s natural phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds.
—Dallas News, 23 Nov. 2022
New Chapter's Turmeric delivers the power of three different turmeric extracts: whole-spectrum turmeric extract, supercritical CO₂ extract, and water extract.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2022
In a supercritical network, the connections are so strong that almost all neurons are coupled together, which allows only one large assembly.
—John M. Beggs, Quanta Magazine, 31 Jan. 2023
Other techniques, like supercritical water oxidation, appear promising as well, Dichtel says.
—Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 23 Jan. 2023
See More
Lars Fischer, Scientific American, 31 Jan. 2022
All the water that percolates through the crust over volcanoes can heat up (sometimes to the point of becoming a supercritical fluid) and as those fluids move, the accompanying change in pressure can fracture the rocks around the fluid.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2015
Similarly, when humans are sleep deprived, their brains become supercritical, although a good night’s sleep can move them back toward the critical point.
—John M. Beggs, Quanta Magazine, 31 Jan. 2023
In the case of our trial, a tonne of mineralized CO₂ via carbonated water cost about US$17, roughly twice that of using supercritical CO₂ for storage.
—Dom Wolff-boenisch, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2016
The brand also uses the supercritical CO2 extraction process that preserves hemp’s natural phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds.
—Dallas News, 23 Nov. 2022
New Chapter's Turmeric delivers the power of three different turmeric extracts: whole-spectrum turmeric extract, supercritical CO₂ extract, and water extract.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2022
In a supercritical network, the connections are so strong that almost all neurons are coupled together, which allows only one large assembly.
—John M. Beggs, Quanta Magazine, 31 Jan. 2023
Other techniques, like supercritical water oxidation, appear promising as well, Dichtel says.
—Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 23 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'supercritical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1934, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near supercritical
Cite this Entry
“Supercritical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supercritical. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.
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