physics
Americannoun
noun
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the branch of science concerned with the properties of matter and energy and the relationships between them. It is based on mathematics and traditionally includes mechanics, optics, electricity and magnetism, acoustics, and heat. Modern physics, based on quantum theory, includes atomic, nuclear, particle, and solid-state studies. It can also embrace applied fields such as geophysics and meteorology
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physical properties of behaviour
the physics of the electron
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archaic natural science or natural philosophy
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The scientific study of matter, energy, space, and time, and of the relations between them.
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The behavior of a given physical system, especially as understood by a physical theory.
Etymology
Origin of physics
Compare meaning
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Explanation
Physics is a kind of science, specifically the science of matter and energy and how they interact. Physics is the study of physical matter, energy, and how they work together. Kinetic energy and potential energy are part of physics. Although it may sound really advanced — and it is — physics is involved in everything we do. Champion pool players have a good understanding of how physics influences the movement of the balls. People who design roller coasters better know their physics. And if you've ever rigged up a pulley or a lever, then you've done basic physics.
Vocabulary lists containing physics
Albert Einstein
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A Brief History of Time
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"Roller Girl" by Victoria Jamieson
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Reconciling the two remains one of physics’ deepest challenges.
From Science Daily • May 22, 2026
“One such scenario of ‘new physics’ is cosmic inflation, which denotes a stage of exponentially fast expansion in the early Universe.”
From Salon • Dec. 13, 2023
Why they didn't is one of physics' great mysteries and uncovering differences between the two is the key to solving it.
From BBC • Sep. 27, 2023
Scores of other ‘big physics’ facilities and astronomical observatories around the world have had to reduce their operations or, in many cases, completely suspend them, in response to the pandemic.
From Nature • Mar. 30, 2020
The Higgs boson could be particle physics’ swansong, the last particle of the accelerator age.
From Scientific American • Oct. 8, 2013
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
