erg

1
[ urg ]

nounPhysics.
  1. the centimeter-gram-second unit of work or energy, equal to the work done by a force of one dyne when its point of application moves through a distance of one centimeter in the direction of the force; 10−7 joule.

Origin of erg

1
1870–75; <Greek érgonwork

Other definitions for erg (2 of 3)

erg2
[ erg ]

nounGeology.
  1. a vast area covered with sand and shifting dunes, as parts of the Sahara Desert.

Origin of erg

2
1870–75; <French <Arabic ʾirq

Other definitions for ERG (3 of 3)

ERG

abbreviation

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

How to use erg in a sentence

  • Mayer obtained a result equivalent to 36.5 × 106 ergs per calorie.

    Lord Kelvin | Andrew Gray
  • The day was rapidly coming to an end and nowhere does day become night so quickly as in the ergs of the Sahara.

    Border, Breed Nor Birth | Dallas McCord Reynolds
  • Thus J works out to 42.2 × 106, in ergs per calorie, which is not far from the true value.

    Lord Kelvin | Andrew Gray
  • As we have seen, recent determinations have proved that the dark adapted eye can detect 18 × 10-10 ergs per second.

    The Nature of Animal Light | E. Newton Harvey
  • And just remember the decillions of ergs of energy that the sun is giving off!

    The Black Star Passes | John W Campbell

British Dictionary definitions for erg (1 of 3)

erg1

/ (ɜːɡ) /


noun
  1. the cgs unit of work or energy. 1 erg is equivalent to 10 –7 joule

Origin of erg

1
C19: from Greek ergon work

British Dictionary definitions for erg (2 of 3)

erg2

/ (ɜːɡ) /


nounplural ergs or areg
  1. an area of shifting sand dunes in a desert, esp the Sahara

Origin of erg

2
C19: from Arabic `irj

British Dictionary definitions for erg (3 of 3)

erg3

/ (ɜːɡ) /


noun
  1. informal short for ergometer (def. 2)

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 erg (1 of 2)

erg1

[ ûrg ]


  1. The unit of energy or work in the centimeter-gram-second system, equal to the force of one dyne over a distance of one centimeter. This unit has been mostly replaced by the joule.

Scientific definitions for erg (2 of 2)

erg2

[ ûrg ]


  1. An extensive area of desert covered with shifting sand dunes.

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