kinematics
Americannoun
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the branch of mechanics that deals with pure motion, without reference to the masses or forces involved in it.
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Also called applied kinematics. the theory of mechanical contrivance for converting one kind of motion into another.
noun
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The branch of physics that deals with the characteristics of motion without regard for the effects of forces or mass.
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Compare dynamics
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of kinematics
1830–40; < Greek kīnēmat- (stem of kī́nēma movement; see cinema) + -ics
Vocabulary lists containing kinematics
Physics - High School
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Force and Motion (Mechanics) - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The distinction between total distance traveled and displacement was first noted in One-Dimensional Kinematics.
From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015
Figure 3.9 shows such a graphical representation of a vector, using as an example the total displacement for the person walking in a city considered in Kinematics in Two Dimensions: An Introduction.
From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015
The motion of falling objects, as covered in Problem-Solving Basics for One-Dimensional Kinematics, is a simple one-dimensional type of projectile motion in which there is no horizontal movement.
From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015
This fact was discussed in Kinematics in Two Dimensions: An Introduction, where vertical and horizontal motions were seen to be independent.
From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015
Kinematics, kin-e-mat′iks, n. the science which treats of motion without reference to force.—adjs.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
