centrifugal

American  

[sen-trif-yuh-guhl, -uh-guhl] / sɛnˈtrɪf yə 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

Etymology

Origin of centrifugal

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

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

Centrifugal force will pull the surface into a parabolic shape.

From Science Magazine • Jul. 18, 2019

Centrifugal force pulls the droplets through layers of dense lipids that encapsulate them along the way.

From Nature • Nov. 6, 2018

Wolverhampton hosts a seven-race card this evening where Mark Johnston's Centrifugal is fancied to go well in the 8.50.

From The Guardian • Aug. 5, 2012

"Centrifugal" forces could threaten the European Union, while the Gulf of Mexico oil spill might "annihilate" BP, the Russian president said in a wide-ranging interview with The Wall Street Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2010

Forests of Centrifugal Bumble-puppy towers gleamed between the trees.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley