potential energy

[ puh-ten-shuhl en-er-jee ]

/ pəˈtɛn ʃəl ˈɛn ər dʒi /

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noun Physics.

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.

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Compare kinetic energy.

Origin of potential energy

First recorded in 1850–55

Words nearby potential energy

potent, potentate, potential, potential difference, potential divider, potential energy, potential gradient, potentiality, potentially, potential well, potentiate

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

How to use potential energy in a sentence

The arm muscles served as a motor, funneling potential energy into the finger tendons, which became springs.
Snapping your fingers is a move worthy of a professional athlete|Elana Spivack|November 17, 2021|Popular-Science
I felt its wide presence on the asphalt, and the potential energy of its engine.
Anyone can drive a supercar, but truly tapping its potential is another matter|Rob Verger|July 28, 2021|Popular-Science
So, in other words, more potential energy was stored as compared to the single arm of the archer when using a hand-bow.
14 Exceptional Weapon Systems from History That Were Ahead of their Time|Dattatreya Mandal|March 26, 2020|Realm of History
I think a lot of it has to do with the attitude and the energy behind it and the honesty.
‘Black Dynamite’ Presents Police Brutality: The Musical|Stereo Williams|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The eating disorder field remains divided over the potential efficacy of such measures.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But, as the people of Irving are now discovering, all of this poking and prodding is not without potential consequences.
26 Earthquakes Later, Fracking’s Smoking Gun Is in Texas|James Joiner|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
First, they allow Paul to siphon off attention from whichever potential candidate is making news.
Rand Paul’s Passive-Aggressive Trolling Campaign|Olivia Nuzzi|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The brokers then scout out potential “crew members” who can earn substantial discounts for working the journey.
Ghost Ships of the Mediterranean|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This is the first and principal point at which we can stanch the wastage of teaching energy that now goes on.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Sleek finds it far harder work than fortune-making; but he pursues his Will-o'-the-Wisp with untiring energy.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
This may be done by taking the humming tone and bringing to bear upon it a strong pressure of energy.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
It was, of course, the suppressed emotional energy finding another outlet.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
She was putting her papers tidy again with calm fingers, while his own were almost cramped with the energy of suppressed desire.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood

British Dictionary definitions for potential energy

potential energy

noun

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, etcSymbol: E p, V, U, φ Abbreviation: PE

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

Scientific definitions for potential energy

potential energy

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. Compare kinetic energy.

Cultural definitions for potential energy

potential energy

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.