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
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, 17 July 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
See all Example Sentences for centripetal 
Megan Wahn, Bon Appétit, 17 July 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
See all Example Sentences for centripetal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'centripetal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near centripetal
Cite this Entry
“Centripetal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centripetal. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
centripetal
adjective
cen·trip·e·tal
sen-ˈtrip-ət-ᵊl
: proceeding or acting in a direction toward a center or axis
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
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