erg

¹ American  

[urg] / ɜrg /

noun

Physics.

1. the centimeter-gram-second unit of work or energy, equal to the work done by a force of one dyne when its point of application moves through a distance of one centimeter in the direction of the force; 10− 7 joule.

---

erg ² American  

[erg] / ɛrg /

noun

Geology.

1. a vast area covered with sand and shifting dunes, as parts of the Sahara Desert.

---

ERG ³ American  

abbreviation

1. electroretinogram.

---

erg ¹ British  

/ ɜːɡ /

noun

1. the cgs unit of work or energy. 1 erg is equivalent to 10 ^–7 joule

---

erg ² British  

/ ɜːɡ /

noun

1. an area of shifting sand dunes in a desert, esp the Sahara

---

erg ³ British  

/ ɜːɡ /

noun

1. informal short for ergometer

---

erg ¹ Scientific  

/ ûrg /

1. The unit of energy or work in the centimeter-gram-second system, equal to the force of one dyne over a distance of one centimeter. This unit has been mostly replaced by the joule.

---

erg ² Scientific  

/ ûrg /

1. An extensive area of desert covered with shifting sand dunes.

---

Etymology

Origin of erg¹

1870–75; < Greek érgon work

Origin of erg²

1870–75; < French < Arabic ʾirq

Example Sentences

Eventually, she was relegated to practicing in a storage closet in the Whitman gym, where she and other injured rowers used erg machines and stationary bikes.

From Washington Post • Feb. 11, 2022

She is generally No. 2 on the team in erg testing.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2019

And if sometimes you hate the erg despite knowing all the good it is doing for your body, don’t feel bad.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2019

GRB170817A had a fluence of 2.2 × 10−7 erg cm−2 in the 10–1,000 keV energy range, as observed by the Fermi-GBM.

From Nature • Oct. 15, 2017

While straining in this way, focusing every erg of energy on his eyes, his bowels suddenly opened up, and before he could realize what he knew, liquid stools were running down his legs.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison