centrifugal

American  

[sen-trif-yuh-guhl, -uh-guhl] / sɛnˈtrɪf jə gəl, -ə gəl /

adjective

1. moving or directed outward from the center (opposed to centripetal).

2. pertaining to or operated by centrifugal force.

   a centrifugal pump.

3. Physiology. efferent.

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noun

1. Machinery.

   1. a machine for separating different materials by centrifugal force; a centrifuge.

   2. a rotating, perforated drum holding the materials to be separated in such a machine.

centrifugal British  

/ sɛnˈtrɪfjʊɡəl, ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːɡəl /

adjective

1. acting, moving, or tending to move away from a centre Compare centripetal

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

   centrifugal pump

3. botany (esp of certain inflorescences) developing outwards from a centre

4. physiol another word for efferent

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noun

1. any device that uses centrifugal force for its action

2. the rotating perforated drum in a centrifuge

centrifugal Scientific  

/ sĕn-trĭf′yə-gəl,-trĭf′ə- /

1. Moving or directed away from a center or axis, usually as a result of being spun around the center or axis.

2. Operated in the manner of a centrifuge.

3. Transmitting nerve impulses away from the brain or spinal cord; efferent.

4. Developing or progressing outward from a center or axis, as in the growth of plant structures. For example, in a centrifugal inflorescence such as a cyme, the flowers in the center or tip open first while those on the edge open last.

5. Compare centripetal

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Other Word Forms

• centrifugally
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of centrifugal

1715–25; < New Latin centrifug ( us ) center-fleeing ( centri- centri- + Latin -fugus, derivative of fugere to flee) + -al ¹

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Explanation

The physics principle whereby objects are forced to move out from the center is called centrifugal force. This apparent force is activated by something moving in a curved direction; the heavier the object the stronger the force. The word centrifugal is from the Latin centrum, "center," and fugere, "to flee," so the word means "center-fleeing." Centrifugal force was studied by physicists as far back as 1629, and the term itself was used by Sir Isaac Newton, in its Latin guise vis centrifuga, in 1687.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

centrifugal

The centripetal forces that draw the two countries together and the centrifugal ones that drive them apart are both strong and in flux.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

These are centrifugal forces shaping the uneasy calm in the world economy.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2025

Her moods had a centrifugal force, pulling in everyone in her orbit.

From Salon ● Dec. 31, 2024

Moreover, the production volume can be easily adjusted by varying the size of the horizontal centrifugal casting cylinder, ensuring consistent thickness and surface quality of polymer solid electrolytes, ideal for battery production.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 15, 2024

I’m that coin on its way down, screaming in the neck of the funnel, with nothing but my own kinetic energy and centrifugal force keeping me from dropping into darkness.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

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