centrifuge

1 of 2

noun

cen·​tri·​fuge ˈsen-trə-ˌfyüj How to pronounce centrifuge (audio)
: a machine using centrifugal force for separating substances of different densities, for removing moisture, or for simulating gravitational effects

centrifuge

2 of 2

verb

centrifuged; centrifuging

transitive verb

: to subject to centrifugal action especially in a centrifuge

Examples of centrifuge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Over the course of 2021 and 2022, the regime would dramatically increase the installation of advanced centrifuges to expand its enrichment capacity while limiting the IAEA’s ability to verify Iranian activity at its centrifuge-manufacturing plant. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 It’s been more than 15 years since the Stuxnet malware was smuggled into Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment plant and destroyed hundreds of centrifuges. Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2024 This dewatering occurs in centrifuges and the ‘centrate’ (the low-solids liquid that comes off the centrifuge) is sent to the wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). Carlos R. Muñoz, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Mar. 2023 Large-scale gold miners use centrifuge machines or arsenic, which does not seep into the environment. Jack Nicas Ian Cheibub, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2023 Traditional mops can spread dirty water if not rinsed frequently or if used with a mop bucket without a clean water compartment (with the exception of spin mops, which use a centrifuge to wring out excess water). Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2023 According to the lawsuit, employees who drew patients’ blood often were not provided with a centrifuge or cooler; spoiled blood analyzed a day later produced strange results that could be used to justify valuable diagnoses, including kidney disease and leukemia. Margot Sanger-Katz, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2022 The room itself literally looked like a science lab, with tables set up in the center for tasting while equipment—like centrifuges and spectrometers—lined the walls. Beth Branch, Country Living, 22 July 2023 Johnson said the city wants to install a centrifuge to process waste oil from boats for the incinerator. Christina McDermott, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Aug. 2023
Verb
In 2010, centrifuges at an Iranian nuclear facility were hijacked by a cyberweapon built and used by the United States and Israel. Paul Mozur, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2023 Then they are centrifuged to extract any West Nile RNA. Andy Newman, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2023 It was then introduced to Emily’s T cells, which had been carefully centrifuged from her drawn blood. Charles Graeber, WIRED, 25 July 2019 There, blood is drawn and centrifuged for at least 15 minutes at 2,200 to 2,500 rpm to separate the T cells from the plasma, platelets, and the rest. Charles Graeber, WIRED, 25 July 2019 The June 3rd injunction ruling empowers the agency to stop the private clinic from injecting patients with a cellular cocktail centrifuged down from their own liposuctioned fat. Megan Molteni, WIRED, 14 June 2019 The solution is centrifuged to separate the solids, leaving a clear liquid that is combined with Belle Meade Bourbon. Grace Wong, chicagotribune.com, 13 July 2018 Blood is drawn from the patient and centrifuged to increase the concentration of platelets to 10 times more growth factors than normal plasma. Joyce Wiswell For The Knee Institute, Detroit Free Press, 17 Apr. 2018 Blood is drawn from the patient and centrifuged to increase the concentration of platelets. Joyce Wiswell For The Knee Institute, Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'centrifuge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from centrifuge centrifugal, from New Latin centrifugus

First Known Use

Noun

1866, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of centrifuge was in 1866

Dictionary Entries Near centrifuge

Cite this Entry

“Centrifuge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centrifuge. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

centrifuge

noun
cen·​tri·​fuge
ˈsen-trə-ˌfyüj
: a machine using centrifugal force for separating substances of different densities, for removing moisture, or for causing gravitational effects

Medical Definition

centrifuge

1 of 2 noun
cen·​tri·​fuge ˈsen-trə-ˌfyüj How to pronounce centrifuge (audio)
: a machine using centrifugal force for separating substances of different densities, for removing moisture, or for simulating gravitational effects

centrifuge

2 of 2 transitive verb
centrifuged; centrifuging
: to subject to centrifugal action especially in a centrifuge

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