tribology

noun

tri·​bol·​o·​gy trī-ˈbä-lə-jē 

tri-

: a study that deals with the design, friction, wear, and lubrication of interacting surfaces in relative motion (as in bearings or gears)

tribological

ˌtrī-bə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

ˌtri-

adjective

tribologist

trī-ˈbä-lə-jist 

tri-

noun

Examples of tribology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, tribology is a highly interdisciplinary field, a branch of study made up of mechanical engineering, materials science, biology, mathematics, and others. —Adrienne Bernhard, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2023

In fact, tribology’s influence on global energy consumption, emissions, healthcare and sustainability has never been more immediate. —Adrienne Bernhard, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2023

In part, because tribology itself is built on unseen forces all around us. —Adrienne Bernhard, Popular Mechanics, 7 Apr. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tribology

noun

tri·​bol·​o·​gy trī-ˈbäl-ə-jē  trib-ˈäl- 

plural tribologies

: a branch of mechanical engineering that deals with the design, friction, wear, and lubrication of interacting surfaces (as bodily joints) in relative motion

tribological

ˌtrī-bə-ˈläj-i-kəl  ˌtrib-ə- 

adjective