centrifugal

[ sen-trif-yuh-guhl, -uh-guhl ]

adjective

1. moving or directed outward from the center ( centripetal ).
2. pertaining to or operated by centrifugal force:

   a centrifugal pump.

3. Physiology. efferent.

noun

1. Machinery.
   1. a machine for separating different materials by centrifugal force; a centrifuge.
   2. a rotating, perforated drum holding the materials to be separated in such a machine.

centrifugal

/ sɛnˈtrɪfjʊɡəl; ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːɡəl /

adjective

1. acting, moving, or tending to move away from a centre Compare centripetal
2. of, concerned with, or operated by centrifugal force

   centrifugal pump

3. botany (esp of certain inflorescences) developing outwards from a centre
4. physiol another word for efferent

noun

1. any device that uses centrifugal force for its action
2. the rotating perforated drum in a centrifuge

centrifugal

/ sĕn-trĭf′yə-gəl,-trĭf′ə- /

1. Moving or directed away from a center or axis, usually as a result of being spun around the center or axis.
2. Operated in the manner of a centrifuge.
3. Transmitting nerve impulses away from the brain or spinal cord; efferent.
4. Developing or progressing outward from a center or axis, as in the growth of plant structures. For example, in a centrifugal inflorescence such as a cyme, the flowers in the center or tip open first while those on the edge open last.
5. Compare centripetal

Derived Forms

• cenˈtrifugally, adverb

Other Words From

• cen·trifu·gal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of centrifugal¹

1715–25; < New Latin centrifug ( us ) center-fleeing ( centri- centri- + Latin -fugus, derivative of fugere to flee) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of centrifugal¹

C18: from New Latin centrifugus, from centri- + Latin fugere to flee

Example Sentences

As an earthbound motorcyclist speeds around the cylinder, their inertia pushes them into the wall, creating an outward centrifugal force.

From Science Magazine

Bedazzled dancers get up close and personal to the audience during this variety show, which opens with a cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black,” and continues with high-energy choreography, high-sensuality music, a Kafkaesque game show, black lights, balloon gags, acrobatic displays of core strength and centrifugal force, and weird, word-salad soliloquies that sounded like the show’s creator typed “write from the perspective of a hard-boiled detective” into ChatGPT, and whether or not that’s true, the results were truly bizarre and very funny.

From Seattle Times

Departing from the traditional melt casting method, the team introduced a horizontal centrifugal casting method to overcome existing limitations.

From Science Daily

Drawing inspiration from the horizontal centrifugal casting technique used in producing iron pipes, the research team successfully achieved a uniform polymer solid electrolyte by rotating the solution horizontally during manufacturing.

From Science Daily

Moreover, the production volume can be easily adjusted by varying the size of the horizontal centrifugal casting cylinder, ensuring consistent thickness and surface quality of polymer solid electrolytes, ideal for battery production.

From Science Daily