centrifugal

American  

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

adjective

1. moving or directed outward from the center (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

Example Sentences

The biggest challenge comes when the growing fish must be moved to the largest tanks, which requires a large centrifugal pump.

From Science Magazine

Aside from that centrifugal swirl of history-making and embarrassment, the rest of this year’s Grammy ceremony seemed to lack coherence as badly as it lacked momentum.

From Washington Post

Her works have the centrifugal storytelling of, say, a Bruegel painting.

From New York Times

Me: A combination of gravitational and centrifugal effects, which compete with one another, and vary along the length of the cable.

From Scientific American

But when you swivel to take in the glorious, centrifugal spectacle of the Guggenheim’s interior, the paintings you passed farther down the ramp smile back across a gaping void.

From Washington Post