centripetal

American  

[sen-trip-i-tl] / sɛnˈtrɪp ɪ tl /

adjective

1. directed toward the center (centrifugal ).

2. operating by centripetal force.

3. Physiology. afferent.

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centripetal British  

/ sɛnˈtrɪpɪtəl, ˈsɛntrɪˌpiːtəl /

adjective

1. acting, moving, or tending to move towards a centre Compare centrifugal

2. of, concerned with, or operated by centripetal force

3. botany (esp of certain inflorescences) developing from the outside towards the centre

4. physiol another word for afferent

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centripetal Scientific  

/ sĕn-trĭp′ĭ-tl /

1. Moving or directed toward a center or axis, particularly one around which an object is spinning.

2. Transmitting nerve impulses toward the brain or spinal cord; afferent.

3. Developing or progressing inward toward a center or axis, as in the growth of plant structures. For example, in the disk of the inflorescence of a sunflower, the florets near the edge open first, and the ones in the center last.

4. Compare centrifugal

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Other Word Forms

• centripetalism noun
• centripetally adverb
• uncentripetal adjective

Etymology

Origin of centripetal

1700–10; < New Latin centripet ( us ) center-seeking ( centri- centri- + -petus, derivative of Latin petere to seek) + -al ¹

Compare meaning

How does centripetal compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• centripetal vs. centrifugal force

Explanation

Centripetal is an adjective describing a force that brings things toward the center, not unlike the force of a black hole. Centripetal is often confused with the word centrifugal. They may begin the same way, but they mean the exact opposite. Centrifugal is the force that moves things outward. You might remember that centripetal means to move things in, because the petals on a flower all begin in the middle.

Example Sentences

A mere arm’s length away from one another, the riders stay steady, thanks to centripetal force and prayers.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

A: The evidence suggests that there are centripetal forces that keep metropolitan areas from continually expanding outward, and that centripetal force is going to remain.

From Washington Post • Dec. 2, 2022

Chung’s slice-of-life writing is nicely observed but gentle to a fault, circling around its themes widely and long enough to lose centripetal force.

From New York Times • Nov. 10, 2022

But he argues they also need the centripetal force of “cultural patriotism,” to balance the centrifugal forces that this diversity ignites.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 9, 2022

No mere luxury, the centripetal gravity of Hermes kept them fit.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir