supercritical

adjective

su·​per·​crit·​i·​cal ˌsü-pər-ˈkri-ti-kəl How to pronounce supercritical (audio)
: 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of supercritical was in 1934

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.

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!