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 This is because the energy barrier abruptly goes from low potential energy at the base of the well to very high potential energy either side. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Jan. 2024 Portfolio managers are selling the forint and zloty as a wager on Europe’s potential energy crisis. Julia-Ambra Verlaine, WSJ, 29 July 2022 Because of warmer waters, wind intensity potential is greater due to physical processes that convert potential energy in the ocean to wind energy within the storm. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 And at least one species of mantis shrimp can also increase elastic potential energy storage in proportion to increases in body mass. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 Aug. 2023 Those with heavier seeds also have larger endocarps that can store more elastic potential energy. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 Aug. 2023 With turkeys, the waddle may act as a pendulum that recovers some of the potential energy (from the change in position of its center of mass) and uses that for kinetic energy to propel it forward. Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023 The work on her home began with an assessment of potential energy savings and a blower test, in which a big fan is used to determine whether windows and doors are leaking. Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2023 In October, Alex de Vries published a paper to examine the potential energy demand of AI. Yessenia Funes, The Verge, 17 Nov. 2023

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of potential energy was in 1853

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 18 Mar. 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

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