energy

[ en-er-jee ]

noun

, plural en·er·gies.

1. the capacity for vigorous activity; available power:

   I eat chocolate to get quick energy.

   Synonyms: potency, force, vigor

2. an adequate or abundant amount of such power:

   I seem to have no energy these days.

3. Often energies. a feeling of tension caused or seeming to be caused by an excess of such power:

   to work off one's energies at tennis.

4. an exertion of such power:

   She plays tennis with great energy.

5. the habit of vigorous activity; vigor as a characteristic:

   Foreigners both admire and laugh at American energy.

   Synonyms: push, zeal

6. the ability to act, lead others, effect, etc., forcefully.
7. forcefulness of expression:

   a writing style abounding with energy.

8. Physics. the capacity to do work; the property of a system that diminishes when the system does work on any other system, by an amount equal to the work so done; potential energy. : E
9. any source of usable power, as fossil fuel, electricity, or solar radiation.

energy

/ ˈɛnədʒɪ /

noun

1. intensity or vitality of action or expression; forcefulness
2. capacity or tendency for intense activity; vigour
3. vigorous or intense action; exertion
4. physics
   1. the capacity of a body or system to do work
   2. a measure of this capacity, expressed as the work that it does in changing to some specified reference state. It is measured in joules (SI units) E
5. a source of power See also kinetic energy potential energy

energy

/ ĕn′ər-jē /

1. The capacity or power to do work, such as the capacity to move an object (of a given mass) by the application of force. Energy can exist in a variety of forms, such as electrical, mechanical, chemical, thermal, or nuclear, and can be transformed from one form to another. It is measured by the amount of work done, usually in joules or watts.
2. See also conservation of energyCompare power

Other Words From

• hy·per·en·er·gy noun
• self-en·er·gy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of energy¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin energīa, from Greek enérgeia “activity,” equivalent to energe- (stem of energeîn “to be active”; en- ², work ) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of energy¹

C16: from Late Latin energīa, from Greek energeia activity, from energos effective, from en- ² + ergon work

Example Sentences

The firms involved — Shell, Equinor, and Ithaca Energy — say they should be allowed to carry on with drilling because permission was granted in good faith under the law as it was understood at the time.

From BBC

Darren Davidson, UK head of Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa, said the deal would allow the firm to plan for the long term in Hull and was a "real positive" for job security.

From BBC

The body that represents energy companies, Energy UK, has confirmed for the first time there is a regional divide - because of the way meters send usage data back to suppliers.

From BBC

“We do not have four years to not do things, let alone go backwards,” said Ken Alex, director at the Center for Law Energy and Environment at UC Berkeley.

From Los Angeles Times

The UK government said the transition to cleaner energy would create thousands of new jobs, and pointed to its decision to set up Great British Energy.

From BBC

Related Words

• efficiency
• intensity
• power
• spirit
• stamina
• strength
• toughness
• vitality