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.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of physics
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How does physics compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
The technology uses quantum physics to perform calculations that today’s computers can’t even approach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
Some breakthroughs in physics come from brand new inventions.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026
The thing is that, despite all the narrative improbabilities and a regular defiance of physics, Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer are so distractingly funny and charming that a viewer goes along for the ride.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
"The laws of black hole mechanics came directly from Einstein's equations," said Daniel E. Paraizo, a graduate student in physics at Penn State and an author of the paper.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 13, 2026
He’s entranced by physics and mathematics, by surgery and medicine, by philosophy and engineering.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
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.
