Search

moving or directed outward from the center (opposed to centripetal).
pertaining to or operated by centrifugal force:
a centrifugal pump.
Physiology. efferent.
Machinery.

a machine for separating different materials by centrifugal force; a centrifuge.
a rotating, perforated drum holding the materials to be separated in such a machine.

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

adjective
acting, moving, or tending to move away from a centre Compare centripetal
of, concerned with, or operated by centrifugal force: centrifugal pump
(botany) (esp of certain inflorescences) developing outwards from a centre
(physiol) another word for efferent
noun
any device that uses centrifugal force for its action
the rotating perforated drum in a centrifuge
adj.

1690s, with adjectival suffix -al (1) + Modern Latin centrifugus, 1687, coined by Sir Isaac Newton (who wrote in Latin) in “Principia” (which is written in Latin), from Latin centri- alternative comb. form of centrum “center” (see center (n.)) + fugere “to flee” (see fugitive). Centrifugal force is Newton’s vis centrifuga.

centrifugal cen·trif·u·gal (sěn-trĭf’yə-gəl, -trĭf’ə-)
adj.

Moving or directed away from a center or axis.

Transmitting nerve impulses away from the central nervous system; efferent.

centrifugal
(sěn-trĭf’yə-gəl, -trĭf’ə-)

Moving or directed away from a center or axis, usually as a result of being spun around the center or axis.

Operated in the manner of a centrifuge.

Transmitting nerve impulses away from the brain or spinal cord; efferent.

Developing or progressing outward from a center or axis, as in the growth of plant structures. For example, in a centrifugal inflorescence such as a cyme, the flowers in the center or tip open first while those on the edge open last. Compare centripetal.