centripetal

[ sen-trip-i-tl ]
See synonyms for centripetal on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. directed toward the center (opposed to centrifugal).

  2. operating by centripetal force.

  1. Physiology. afferent.

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Origin of centripetal

1
1700–10; <New Latin centripet(us) center-seeking (centri-centri- + -petus, derivative of Latin petere to seek) + -al1

Other words from centripetal

  • cen·trip·e·tal·ism, noun
  • cen·trip·e·tal·ly, adverb
  • un·cen·trip·e·tal, adjective

Words that may be confused with centripetal

Words Nearby centripetal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use centripetal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for centripetal

centripetal

/ (sɛnˈtrɪpɪtəl, ˈsɛntrɪˌpiːtəl) /


adjective
  1. acting, moving, or tending to move towards a centre: Compare centrifugal

  2. of, concerned with, or operated by centripetal force

  1. botany (esp of certain inflorescences) developing from the outside towards the centre

  2. physiol another word for afferent

Origin of centripetal

1
C17: from New Latin centripetus seeking the centre; see centri-, -petal

Derived forms of centripetal

  • centripetally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for centripetal

centripetal

[ sĕn-trĭpĭ-tl ]


  1. Moving or directed toward a center or axis, particularly one around which an object is spinning.

  2. Transmitting nerve impulses toward the brain or spinal cord; afferent.

  1. Developing or progressing inward toward a center or axis, as in the growth of plant structures. For example, in the disk of the inflorescence of a sunflower, the florets near the edge open first, and the ones in the center last. Compare centrifugal.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.