centrifugal

1 of 2

adjective

cen·​trif·​u·​gal sen-ˈtri-fyə-gəl How to pronounce centrifugal (audio)
-ˈtri-fi-,
 especially British  ˌsen-tri-ˈfyü-gəl
1
: proceeding or acting in a direction away from a center or axis
centrifugal acceleration of a body
2
: using or acting by centrifugal force
a centrifugal pump
3
: efferent
centrifugal nerves of the heart
4
: tending away from centralization : separatist
centrifugal tendencies in modern society
centrifugally
sen-ˈtri-fyə-gə-lē How to pronounce centrifugal (audio)
-ˈtri-fi-
 especially British  ˌsen-tri-ˈfyü-gə-
adverb

centrifugal

2 of 2

noun

: a centrifugal machine or a drum in such a machine

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Centrifugal and Science

Centrifugal force is what keeps a string with a ball on the end taut when you whirl it around. A centrifuge is a machine that uses centrifugal force. At the end of a washing machine's cycle, it becomes a weak and simple centrifuge as it whirls the water out of your clothes. Centrifuges hundreds of thousands of times as powerful are essential to nuclear technology and drug manufacturing. Part of an astronaut's training occurs in a centrifuge that generates force equal to several times the force of gravity (about like a washing machine) to get them used to the forces they'll encounter in a real space mission.

Examples of centrifugal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Concurrently, the centrifugal clutch will engage, permitting the motorcycle to move forward. New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2024 That’s when the momentum shifted, in that 24-hour period, and just to be at that centrifugal place was quite stirring. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2024
Noun
The changes in both centrifugal and shearing forces acting on the raft are quite small—maybe 2 percent to 3 percent the force of normal gravity. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 16 Sep. 2022 Made from food-grade stainless steel, the 65-pound PURE does, as the name suggests, require more steps than a typical centrifugal or masticating juicer. Alyson Sheppard, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2021 See all Example Sentences for centrifugal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'centrifugal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin centrifugus, from centr- + Latin fugere to flee — more at fugitive

First Known Use

Adjective

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of centrifugal was in 1709

Dictionary Entries Near centrifugal

Cite this Entry

“Centrifugal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centrifugal. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

centrifugal

adjective
cen·​trif·​u·​gal
sen-ˈtrif-yə-gəl,
-ˈtrif-i-gəl
1
: proceeding or acting in a direction away from a center or axis
2
: using or acting by centrifugal force
Etymology

Adjective

from scientific Latin centrifugus "centrifugal," literally, "fleeing from the center," from centri- "center" and -fugus, from Latin fugere "to run away, flee" — related to fugitive, refugee

Medical Definition

centrifugal

adjective
cen·​trif·​u·​gal sen-ˈtrif-yə-gəl, -ˈtrif-i-gəl How to pronounce centrifugal (audio)
: passing outward (as from a nerve center to a muscle or gland) : efferent
centrifugally adverb

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