centripetal

adjective

cen·​trip·​e·​tal sen-ˈtri-pə-tᵊl 

1

: proceeding or acting in a direction toward a center or axis

centripetal acceleration of a body

2

: afferent

centripetal nerves

3

: tending toward centralization : unifying

centripetal factors that hold the parts together

centripetally

sen-ˈtri-pə-tə-lē 

adverb

Examples of centripetal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to my coworkers, there's no better way to dry off tender herbs and lettuces than with the power of centripetal motion. —Megan Wahn, Bon Appétit, 8 Oct. 2024

Also, the bigger the radius of the circle, the smaller the centripetal acceleration. —Rhett Allain, Wired, 15 Oct. 2021

Like centripetal and centrifugal forces, Wilson Chin’s sparse, elegant turntable set suggests that the things that tie us down can also move us forward. —Juan A. Ramírez, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2022

Their mathemathical model is based on the idea that surface tension holds the water droplets to the animal's hair, and that centripetal forces from the shaking have to exceed that surface tension in order to free the water. —Eliza Strickland, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2010

Word History

Etymology

New Latin centripetus, from centr- + Latin petere to go to, seek — more at feather

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing centripetal

• centripetal force

Kids Definition

centripetal

adjective

cen·​trip·​e·​tal sen-ˈtrip-ət-ᵊl 

: proceeding or acting in a direction toward a center or axis

centripetally

-ət-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Medical Definition

centripetal

adjective

cen·​trip·​e·​tal sen-ˈtrip-ət-ᵊl 

: passing inward (as from a sense organ to the brain or spinal cord) : afferent

centripetally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb