fluid mechanics

American  

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. an applied science dealing with the basic principles of gaseous and liquid matter.

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fluid mechanics British  

noun

1. Also called: hydraulics.  (functioning as singular) the study of the mechanical and flow properties of fluids, esp as they apply to practical engineering See also hydrodynamics hydrostatics hydrokinetics

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fluid mechanics Scientific  

1. The scientific study of the mechanical properties of fluids, especially their behavior when subject to internal and external forces.

2. Compare aerodynamics hydrodynamics

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Etymology

Origin of fluid mechanics

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Parziale recently received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in recognition of his research into fluid mechanics at extreme speeds.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2025

Throughout his throwing program, Kershaw wowed coaches with his fluid mechanics, releasing pitches “free and easy,” as pitching coach Mark Prior described it, without any hitches or post-surgical delivery flaws.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2024

Marine Corps colonel and a fighter pilot who flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, holds an engineering masters degree specializing in fluid mechanics.

From Reuters • Oct. 5, 2022

“Basically there's a separation that occurs,” says Christine Baker, a fluid mechanics researcher at the University of Washington.

From Scientific American • Aug. 24, 2022

In addition, curl and divergence appear in mathematical descriptions of fluid mechanics, electromagnetism, and elasticity theory, which are important concepts in physics and engineering.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016