potential energy

American  

[puh-ten-shuhl en-er-jee] / pəˈtɛn ʃəl ˈɛn ər dʒi /

noun

Physics.

1. the energy of a body or a system with respect to the position of the body or the arrangement of the particles of the system.

---

potential energy British  

noun

1.  Ep.   V.   U.   φ.   PE.  the energy of a body or system as a result of its position in an electric, magnetic, or gravitational field. It is measured in joules (SI units), electronvolts, ergs, etc

---

potential energy Scientific  

1. The energy possessed by a body as a result of its position or condition rather than its motion. A raised weight, coiled spring, or charged battery has potential energy.

2. Compare kinetic energy

---

potential energy Cultural  

1. The energy an object has because of its position, rather than its motion. An object held in a person's hand has potential energy, which turns to kinetic energy — the energy of motion — when the person lets it go, and it drops to the ground.

---

Etymology

Origin of potential energy

First recorded in 1850–55

Compare meaning

How does potential-energy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• kinetic energy vs. potential energy
• kinetic vs. potential energy

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

potential energy

On top of that, there is this potential energy in the atmosphere which meant that, locally, the convection column sucked up the embers and carried the fire further afield.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

In the stock market, money, like mass, held within itself its own potential energy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026

"This model allows us to program the shape we want to create, how stable it is, and how powerful it can be when stored potential energy is allowed to snap into kinetic energy," says Hong.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2025

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, rumoured as a potential energy secretary, was there on election night.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2024

When the potential energy in the fault becomes greater than the force, called friction, that holds the plates together, the top plate breaks free and springs upward.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland