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 cable is holding you up and simulating centrifugal force on the corner,” Corby said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

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

From BBC • Oct. 19, 2025

The individual tiles and reinforcement bars create a striking impression of an enthralling and vertiginous centrifugal motion.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2025

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

From Salon • Dec. 31, 2024

He invented the spiral balance spring still used in some watches today; made fundamental contributions to mechanics—e.g., the calculation of centrifugal force—and, from a study of the game of dice, to the theory of probability.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan