kinetic energy

[ ki-net-ik en-er-jee, kahy-net-ik ]

/ kɪˈnɛt ɪk ˈɛn ər dʒi, kaɪˈnɛt ɪk /

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See synonyms for kinetic energy on Thesaurus.com

noun Physics.

the energy of a body or a system with respect to the motion of the body or of the particles in the system.Compare potential energy.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of kinetic energy

First recorded in 1865–70

Words nearby kinetic energy

kinesthesia, kinesthetic, kinetheodolite, kinetic, kinetic art, kinetic energy, kinetic friction, kineticism, kinetic potential, kinetics, kinetic theory

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use kinetic energy in a sentence

For a large chunk of its running time, there is a kinetic energy to the film that is a hoot, all the more impressive because it never loses the sense of portending darkness that we know we’re in store for.
Lady Gaga Is Dynamite in ‘House of Gucci.’ The Rest is Gucci for Target.|Kevin Fallon|November 23, 2021|The Daily Beast
When the latch releases, potential energy stored between the spring and the latch converts to kinetic energy in an explosive, ultrafast motion.
Snapping your fingers is a move worthy of a professional athlete|Elana Spivack|November 17, 2021|Popular-Science
It activates sensory neurons that alert the brain to the presence of actual heat, not the flavor of heat but real, kinetic energy heat.
What would possess someone to eat a Carolina Reaper pepper? This writer tried to find out.|Leigh Cowart|September 20, 2021|Popular-Science
As the ball rises, it slows down, as the kinetic energy inherent in its velocity is exchanged for potential energy in the form of increased altitude.
Why the Virgin Galactic spaceship didn’t reach orbit last weekend|Purbita Saha|July 12, 2021|Popular-Science

A flying mosquito’s kinetic energy, for example, is about 1 trillion electron volts.
We revisit last year’s COVID-19 questions, readers weigh in on tuataras and more|Science News Staff|April 4, 2021|Science News
What looks like filthy chaos at the moment is actually the kinetic energy that gives birth to modern metropolises.
Great Cities are Born Filthy|Will Doig|July 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was a kinetic energy, a vibrancy that leapt off the screen that did, indeed, dazzle.
‘American Hustle’ Is Overrated|Kevin Fallon|January 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When a pendulum is vibrating, there is a continual transformation of potential into kinetic energy, and vice versa.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
A cannon ball receives a large amount of kinetic energy from the exploded powder as it leaves the muzzle of a great gun.
The Popular Science Monthly, September, 1900|Various
Then the work done by external forces will be equal to the kinetic energy produced in the time considered.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 1|Various
The kinetic energy of these is deducted from the general energy of translation, and practically wasted.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 1|Various
The mass of fluid passing through the element of section ω, in θ seconds, is (G/g) ωvθ, and its kinetic energy is (G/2g) ωv3θ.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 1|Various

British Dictionary definitions for kinetic energy

kinetic energy

noun

the energy of motion of a body, equal to the work it would do if it were brought to rest The translational kinetic energy depends on motion through space, and for a rigid body of constant mass is equal to the product of half the mass times the square of the speed. The rotational kinetic energy depends on rotation about an axis, and for a body of constant moment of inertia is equal to the product of half the moment of inertia times the square of the angular velocity. In relativistic physics kinetic energy is equal to the product of the increase of mass caused by motion times the square of the speed of light. The SI unit is the joule but the electronvolt is often used in atomic physicsSymbol: E k, K, T Abbreviation: KE

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for kinetic energy

kinetic energy

[ kə-nĕt′ĭk ]

The energy possessed by a system or object as a result of its motion. The kinetic energy of objects with mass is dependent upon the velocity and mass of the object, while the energy of waves depends on their velocity, frequency, and amplitude, as well as the density of the medium if there is one (as with ocean waves). Compare potential energy.

Cultural definitions for kinetic energy

kinetic energy

[ (ki-net-ik) ]

The energy an object has because of its motion.

kinetic energy

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Origin of kinetic energy

Words nearby kinetic energy

Words related to kinetic energy

How to use kinetic energy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for kinetic energy

Scientific definitions for kinetic energy

Cultural definitions for kinetic energy