centripetal

[ sen-trip-i-tl ]

adjective

1. directed toward the center ( centrifugal ).
2. operating by centripetal force.
3. Physiology. afferent.

centripetal

/ sɛnˈtrɪpɪtəl; ˈsɛntrɪˌpiːtəl /

adjective

1. acting, moving, or tending to move towards a centre Compare centrifugal
2. of, concerned with, or operated by centripetal force
3. botany (esp of certain inflorescences) developing from the outside towards the centre
4. physiol another word for afferent

centripetal

/ sĕn-trĭp′ĭ-tl /

1. Moving or directed toward a center or axis, particularly one around which an object is spinning.
2. Transmitting nerve impulses toward the brain or spinal cord; afferent.
3. Developing or progressing inward toward a center or axis, as in the growth of plant structures. For example, in the disk of the inflorescence of a sunflower, the florets near the edge open first, and the ones in the center last.
4. Compare centrifugal

Derived Forms

• cenˈtripetally, adverb

Other Words From

• cen·tripe·tal·ism noun
• cen·tripe·tal·ly adverb
• uncen·tripe·tal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of centripetal¹

1700–10; < New Latin centripet ( us ) center-seeking ( centri- centri- + -petus, derivative of Latin petere to seek) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of centripetal¹

C17: from New Latin centripetus seeking the centre; see centri- , -petal

Example Sentences

A mere arm’s length away from one another, the riders stay steady, thanks to centripetal force and prayers.

From Los Angeles Times

A: The evidence suggests that there are centripetal forces that keep metropolitan areas from continually expanding outward, and that centripetal force is going to remain.

From Washington Post

Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a bid by Centripetal Networks Inc to reinstate the largest award in the history of U.S. patent law - $2.75 billion - to be paid by Cisco Systems Inc in a cybersecurity patent dispute.

From Reuters

Centripetal sued Cisco in federal court in Virginia in 2018, accusing it of infringing patents related to Centripetal's network-security technology.

From Reuters

The judge awarded Centripetal $1.9 billion in damages plus royalties that Cisco said increased the total to more than $2.7 billion.

From Reuters