centrifuge

American  

[sen-truh-fyooj] / ˈsɛn trəˌfyudʒ /

noun

1. an apparatus that rotates at high speed and by centrifugal force separates substances of different densities, as milk and cream.

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verb (used with object)

centrifuged, centrifuging

1. Also to subject to the action of a centrifuge.

centrifuge British  

/ ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːdʒ, ˌsɛntrɪfjʊˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

1. any of various rotating machines that separate liquids from solids or dispersions of one liquid in another, by the action of centrifugal force

2. any of various rotating devices for subjecting human beings or animals to varying accelerations for experimental purposes

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verb

1. (tr) to subject to the action of a centrifuge

centrifuge Scientific  

/ sĕn′trə-fyo̅o̅j′ /

1. A machine that separates substances of different densities in a sample by rotating the sample at very high speed, causing the substance to be displaced outward, sometimes through a series of filters or gratings. Denser substances tend to be displaced from the center more than ones that are less dense.

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Other Word Forms

• centrifugation noun
• recentrifuge verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of centrifuge

1795–1805; < French, noun use of centrifuge (adj.) < New Latin centrifugus center-fleeing; centrifugal

Explanation

That ride at the fair that spins you around until you stick to the walls? The device in your washing machine that spins your clothes around quickly to get the water out of them? Those are centrifuges. Centrifuges are used mostly in science. In this application, centrifugal force — the force from spinning that moves things away from the center — separates liquids that have different weights. For example, a centrifuge is used to separate blood cells from plasma cells. When the blood is spun in the centrifuge, the heavier plasma cells separate from the lighter blood cells, and can be collected for other uses.

Example Sentences

He built a rotating centrifuge to simulate gravity, engineered elaborate model work, and collaborated on the now-legendary slit-scan technique that produced the “Stargate” sequence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

Stephen was then extubated and woken up, and then he rested for an hour before his blood was drained and spun through a centrifuge for six hours to separate out the stem cells.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2025

In future studies, the researchers will examine the effects of using a centrifuge to combat the fluid shift and its effects.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2024

Back at the centrifuge, it slows to a stop and the door clangs open.

From BBC • May 8, 2024

The room is still except for the quiet hum of the centrifuge.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera