perpetual motion

Save This Word!

noun Mechanics.

the motion of a theoretical mechanism that, without any losses due to friction or other forms of dissipation of energy, would continue to operate indefinitely at the same rate without any external energy being applied to it.

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.

Question 1 of 8

Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?

The Sunflower State

The Evergreen State

The Magnolia State

The Mockingbird State

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of perpetual motion

First recorded in 1585–95

Words nearby perpetual motion

perpetual calendar, perpetual check, perpetual debenture, perpetual inventory, perpetually, perpetual motion, perpetual-motion machine, perpetuate, perpetuation, perpetuity, perphenazine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for perpetual motion

For an artist in perpetual motion, that doesn’t sound like a stretch at all.
There’s no stopping Twyla Tharp, even as she approaches 80|Peter Marks|March 18, 2021|Washington Post
I wonder what that lady is doing now, and if she knows what she set in motion with Archer?
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But millions of rules result in perpetual error, and, as a terminal side effect, make leadership and accomplishment illegal.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The train was already in motion as she tried to step inside, and her body was crushed beneath it.
Riding Thailand’s WWII Death Railway|Liza Foreman|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Stop-motion animation artist PES has unveiled a new short this week.
‘Sexual’ Barbershop Quartet, a Panda Family Reunion, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Big discounts and cheap credit keep them coming back for more; and keep millions in perpetual debt.
Christmas Is the New Subprime|Doug McIntyre|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In this situation we waited the motion of the enemy, without perceiving any advancement they made towards us.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
These sections also have vibrations of their own which are of shorter length and more rapid motion.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
Felipe watched over her as a lover might; her great mournful eyes followed his every motion.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
At six o'clock I felt once more the welcome motion of a Railroad car, and at eight was in Venice.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
The inheritance of the children of sinners shall perish, and with their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for perpetual motion

perpetual motion

noun

Also called: perpetual motion of the first kind motion of a hypothetical mechanism that continues indefinitely without any external source of energy. It is impossible in practice because of friction

Also called: perpetual motion of the second kind motion of a hypothetical mechanism that derives its energy from a source at a lower temperature. It is impossible in practice because of the second law of thermodynamics

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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

perpetual motion

noun Mechanics.

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Origin of perpetual motion

Words nearby perpetual motion

Example sentences from the Web for perpetual motion

British Dictionary definitions for perpetual motion

noun