Newtonian

[ noo-toh-nee-uhn, nyoo- ]

/ nuˈtoʊ ni ən, nyu- /

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adjective

of or relating to Sir Isaac Newton or to his theories or discoveries: Newtonian physics.

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Origin of Newtonian

First recorded in 1705–15; Newton + -ian

OTHER WORDS FROM Newtonian

non-New·to·ni·an, adjective, nounpost-New·to·ni·an, adjectivepre-New·to·ni·an, adjective

Words nearby Newtonian

New Test., New Testament, new theology, New Thought, newton, Newtonian, Newtonian fluid, Newtonian mechanics, Newtonian telescope, Newton, Isaac, newton-meter

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

How to use Newtonian in a sentence

As a result, quantum math does not describe a relentless cause-and-effect sequence of events as Newtonian science had insisted.
A century of quantum mechanics questions the fundamental nature of reality|Tom Siegfried|January 12, 2022|Science News
Learning how the forces work will give you a leg-up in noseriding or provide you with an appreciation for the aesthetics of Newtonian law while watching the surfers from the beach.
Use physics to pull off gravity-defying surfing moves|Noah Lederman|October 5, 2021|Popular-Science
However, there is a Newtonian opposite to the base, and it's called swing voters--wing voters vs. swing voters, if you will.
Seven More Thoughts on the Decision|Michael Tomasky|June 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This is not to suggest that Romney should aspire to megalomania of Newtonian proportions.
Romney Cuts Loose O'Donnell, Perhaps Out of Ego|Michelle Cottle|February 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST

In the Newtonian world, people only care about what he says; the rules are to be followed by the rest of us.
In Newt Gingrich’s World Rules Do not Apply to Him, Ex-Wife’s Lawyer Says|Victoria Toensing|January 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Remember the Newtonian rule of power politics: for every interest that wants X, there is an opposing interest that wants Not X.
Pawlenty's Uncourageous Stand Against Ethanol|Michael Tomasky|May 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
But they wanted to get a better view of the heavens—a view through a Newtonian reflecting-telescope.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 12|Elbert Hubbard
It embodied a fine attempt "to explain the constitution and mechanical origin of the universe on Newtonian principles."
The Wonders of Life|Ernst Haeckel
But the evil doesn't come from the fact that it plays horse with the Newtonian theory of the constitution.
A Preface to Politics|Walter Lippmann
The paper was declined with thanks by that bigoted body 'as opposed to Newtonian astronomy.'
Myths and Marvels of Astronomy|Richard A. Proctor
The objection that the Newtonian law meant ultimate dissolution of the world was thus destroyed by Laplace.
The Popular Science Monthly, June, 1900|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Newtonian

Newtonian

/ (njuːˈtəʊnɪən) /

adjective

of, relating to, or based on the theories of Sir Isaac Newton

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