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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
Suppose the plane drops a distance of 1 meter—this would be a change in gravitational potential energy of m⋅g⋅h, where m is mass, g is the gravitational field (9.8 newtons per kilogram), and h is the height.
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Rhett Allain, WIRED, 26 July 2024
Europe has continued to surprise to the upside, the strategist said, despite recessionary concerns over mounting Russia-Ukraine tensions and a potential energy crisis.
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Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 18 July 2024
All that potential energy is what has meteorologists so worried heading into the rest of hurricane season.
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Dennis Mersereau, WIRED, 2 July 2024
One option is a regular council meeting of ministers—akin to the U.S. National Security Council—that would decide on immediate responses to potential energy shortages.
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Niclas Poitiers, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'potential energy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 19 Aug. 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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