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potential energy
noun
: the energy that a piece of matter has because of its position or nature or because of the arrangement of parts
Examples of potential energy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And because high humidity makes temperatures feel warmer, a humidifier could bring potential energy savings by lowering thermostat settings.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024
The warmer the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico get, the more potential energy goes into storms.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024
Kinetic energy wouldn’t affect the universe’s expansion the way the potential energy did, so its effects wouldn’t be observable as time went on.
—Marc Kamionkowski, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
Over time the field would roll down the hill, and its potential energy would be converted to kinetic energy.
—Marc Kamionkowski, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1853, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near potential energy
Cite this Entry
“Potential energy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potential%20energy. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
potential energy
noun
: the amount of energy a thing (as a weight raised to a height or a coiled spring) has because of its position or because of the arrangement of its parts
Medical Definition
potential energy
noun
: the energy that a piece of matter has because of its position or because of the arrangement of parts
More from Merriam-Webster on potential energy
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about potential energy
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