Centripetal
adjective
Moving or directed toward a center or point.
Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path.
Often appears as...
- centripetal acceleration
- centripetal force
Usage tips
Scientific
adjective
In botany, moving or growing towards the center or axis, as in certain plants.
The flowers exhibit centripetal growth, growing from the outside inwards.
Often appears as...
- centripetal growth
- centripetal pattern
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
In psychology, directed or moving inward.
Centripetal thinking is inward and focused on a single point or topic.
Often appears as...
- centripetal thinking
- centripetal attention
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Moving or directed toward a center or point.
Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path.
Often appears as...
- centripetal acceleration
- centripetal force
Usage tips
Scientific
adjective
In botany, moving or growing towards the center or axis, as in certain plants.
The flowers exhibit centripetal growth, growing from the outside inwards.
Often appears as...
- centripetal growth
- centripetal pattern
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
In psychology, directed or moving inward.
Centripetal thinking is inward and focused on a single point or topic.
Often appears as...
- centripetal thinking
- centripetal attention
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Physics Connection
Understand centripetal as related to circular motion in Physics; it is not centrifugal, which moves outward.
In physics, we studied how centripetal force keeps the moon in orbit around the Earth.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Interpretation
Literally, 'centripetal' means 'seeking the center', so it refers to any motion directed towards a central point.
A whirling figure skater pulls her arms in for a centripetal effect, spinning faster.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-Physical Use
Metaphorically, centripetal can describe efforts or actions that focus on unifying or centralizing.
The CEO's centripetal approach brought all departments together to streamline the project.
Pro Tip 1/3Physics Connection
Understand centripetal as related to circular motion in Physics; it is not centrifugal, which moves outward.
In physics, we studied how centripetal force keeps the moon in orbit around the Earth.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Interpretation
Literally, 'centripetal' means 'seeking the center', so it refers to any motion directed towards a central point.
A whirling figure skater pulls her arms in for a centripetal effect, spinning faster.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-Physical Use
Metaphorically, centripetal can describe efforts or actions that focus on unifying or centralizing.
The CEO's centripetal approach brought all departments together to streamline the project.
Pro Tip 1/3Physics Connection
Understand centripetal as related to circular motion in Physics; it is not centrifugal, which moves outward.
In physics, we studied how centripetal force keeps the moon in orbit around the Earth.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Interpretation
Literally, 'centripetal' means 'seeking the center', so it refers to any motion directed towards a central point.
A whirling figure skater pulls her arms in for a centripetal effect, spinning faster.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-Physical Use
Metaphorically, centripetal can describe efforts or actions that focus on unifying or centralizing.
The CEO's centripetal approach brought all departments together to streamline the project.
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Quote examples
Rick Perlstein
American Historian
Why was Barack Obama attractive to people in 2008? If you think about Barack Obama, there's all this anxiety about society, just kind of wracked by centripetal forces - the idea that the center's not holding, no one can talk to each other, the idea of a political system that's broken.
Quote examples
Rick Perlstein
American Historian
Why was Barack Obama attractive to people in 2008? If you think about Barack Obama, there's all this anxiety about society, just kind of wracked by centripetal forces - the idea that the center's not holding, no one can talk to each other, the idea of a political system that's broken.
Example 1 of 1
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