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physics

noun

phys·icsˈfi-ziks How to pronounce physics (audio)

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

Synonyms ofphysics next

:a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions

:thephysical processes and phenomena of a particular system

:the physical properties and composition of something

Examples ofphysics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage.Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.Send us feedback.

But this is exactly why scientists do these sorts of calculations; our expectations can be biased, whereas the math andphysicsisn’t.—

Phil Plait,Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2025Not only is most of thephysicsof SPARC the same as that of ITER, but some of the hardware will be as well.—

ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 2025After earning his PhD in theoreticalphysicsat Cornell, Ginsparg began teaching at Harvard.—

Sheon Han,Wired News, 27 Mar. 2025Most of the employees at the apex of their careers today went through traditional education, studying subjects like math,physicsand geography in a structured, conventionally academic way.—

Dr. Chaouki Kasmi,Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025See All Example Sentences forphysics

Word History

Etymology

Latinphysica, plural, natural science, from Greekphysika, from neuter plural ofphysikos of nature, fromphysis growth, nature, fromphyein to bring forth — more atbe

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined atsense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use ofphysics was in 1715

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Phrases Containingphysics

Rhymes forphysics

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physic root

physics

physid

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Physics.”Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physics. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

physics

noun

phys·icsˈfiz-iks How to pronounce physics (audio)

: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

:physical composition, characteristics, or processes

thephysics of sound

Medical Definition

physics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

phys·icsˈfiz-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