physics

noun

phys·​ics ˈfi-ziks How to pronounce physics (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions
2
a
: the physical processes and phenomena of a particular system
b
: the physical properties and composition of something

Examples of physics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The door plug was eventually found in the backyard of a high school physics teacher in southwest Portland, along with other debris from the flight scattered nearby. Claire Rush, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 Life has become all too predictable, stuck in a constant cycle of celebrating her 55th birthday, going to the beach and approving galleys for the physics book she’s written with her husband (Carlos Jacott). Stephen Saito, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 But, on top of that, unraveling the mysteries of urination may also provide inspiration for human physics and design challenges. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 In contrast, today its allocation is less than 0.4%, as Jack Burns, a professor in the physics department at the University of Colorado-Boulder, told Gizmodo last year. George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 No course in a physics department is more counterrevolutionary than Physics 1. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 29 Feb. 2024 Quantum computing sits at the intersection of mathematics, physics and computer science. Damian Scalerandi, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 But current research in quantum physics finds that no such separation is possible. The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Because, just as in physics, there is for every action an equal and opposite counter-reaction in economics as well, the tariffs that other countries subsequently imposed on our own products definitely hurt American jobs. The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'physics.' 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

Latin physica, plural, natural science, from Greek physika, from neuter plural of physikos of nature, from physis growth, nature, from phyein to bring forth — more at be

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of physics was in 1715

Dictionary Entries Near physics

Cite this Entry

“Physics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physics. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

physics

noun
phys·​ics ˈfiz-iks How to pronounce physics (audio)
1
: a science that deals with matter and energy and their actions upon each other in the fields of mechanics, heat, light, electricity, sound, and the atomic nucleus
2
: physical composition, characteristics, or processes
the physics of sound

Medical Definition

physics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
phys·​ics ˈfiz-iks How to pronounce physics (audio)
: a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions in the fields of mechanics, acoustics, optics, heat, electricity, magnetism, radiation, atomic structure, and nuclear phenomena
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