joule

¹

[ jool, joul ]

noun

, Physics.

1. the standard unit of work or energy in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the work done by a force of one newton when its point of application moves through a distance of one meter in the direction of the force: equivalent to 10 7 ergs and one watt-second. : J, j

Joule

²

[ jool, joul ]

noun

1. James Prescott, 1818–89, English physicist.

joule

¹

/ dʒuːl /

noun

1. the derived SI unit of work or energy; the work done when the point of application of a force of 1 newton is displaced through a distance of 1 metre in the direction of the force. 1 joule is equivalent to 1 watt-second, 10 ⁷ergs, 0.2390 calories, or 0.738 foot-pound J

Joule

²

/ dʒuːl /

noun

1. JouleJames Prescott18181889MEnglishSCIENCE: physicist James Prescott. 1818–89, English physicist, who evaluated the mechanical equivalent of heat and contributed to the study of heat and electricity

joule

¹

/ jo̅o̅l,joul /

1. The SI derived unit used to measure energy or work. One joule is equal to the energy used to accelerate a body with a mass of one kilogram using one newton of force over a distance of one meter. One joule is also equivalent to one watt-second.

Joule

²

1. British physicist who demonstrated that heat is a form of energy. His work established the law of conservation of energy, stating that energy is never destroyed but may be converted from one form into another. The joule unit of energy is named for him.

Word History and Origins

Origin of joule¹

First recorded in 1885–90; named after J. P. Joule

Word History and Origins

Origin of joule¹

C19: named after James Prescott Joule

Example Sentences

Firstly, you've probably heard of the units of measurement for energy — calories — as well as the metric equivalent, which is joules.

From Salon

However, in an interesting twist, scientists also found that cooking with a smaller flame produced more benzene per joule of gas consumed.

From Los Angeles Times

This triggered a fusion reaction that released 3 million joules.

From Salon

The sky shook with endless thunder and erupted with lightning, the clouds bursting with a billion joules of energy.

From Literature

Its value depends on ambient temperature: in your living room, one Landauer would be around 10–21 joule.

From Scientific American