dy·nam·ic
dī-ˈna-mik 
1
a
: marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change
a dynamic city
2
or less commonly dynamical
a
: of or relating to physical force or energy
b
: of or relating to dynamics (see dynamics entry 1)
3
of random-access memory
: requiring periodic refreshment of charge in order to retain data
plural dynamics
: a force or factor that controls or influences a process of growth, change, interaction, or activity : a dynamic force or factor
a social/cultural/interpersonal dynamic
… describes a world order that seems to be evolving from ideology as the principal dynamic …—
Woody West
Woody WestDenial has always been the most devastating social and political dynamic of the AIDS epidemic …—June E. Osborn
June E. OsbornStill, one wonders, Is there a way to achieve … results without some of the extraneous nastiness, the relentless controlling dynamic?—Jack McCallum
see also dynamics entry 1
Jack McCallumSynonyms
Examples of dynamic in a Sentence
Adjective
… tournament blackjack is more dynamic, and more complex, than simply playing against the house.
—Michael Kaplan, Cigar Aficionado, December 2002
Indeed, one of the most dynamic influences on family life and society in the last century was the extension of concepts to individual worth and human rights.
—Perdita Huston, Ms., December 2001/January 2002
The new dynamic duo have little in common but a bright orange ball.
—Stephen Rodrick, ESPN, 3 Apr. 2000
an exciting and dynamic performance
the dynamic theory of heat
Noun
… the high-tech world is, at heart, a cruel, unforgiving place ruled by the merciless dynamics of the marketplace.
—Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 27 June 2002
… my memory of specific events is sketchy, but the general emotional flavor is engraved on my mind as a classic example of my family's bent dynamic.
—Florence King, National Review, 15 Oct. 2001
… the Cambrian Explosion, created the evolutionary dynamic that produced most of the species that subsequently populated the earth, from insects and fish to dinosaurs and humans.
—J. Madeleine Nash, Time, 20 Aug. 2001
Raisons d'état, not the dynamics of capitalism, created the American thrust for world influence.
—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986
the dynamic between a doctor and a patient
Group dynamics are important to consider.
The dynamics of this class are different from those of other classes.
Disease was a central dynamic in the decrease in population.
a study on famine and population dynamics
Michael Kaplan, Cigar Aficionado, December 2002
Indeed, one of the most dynamic influences on family life and society in the last century was the extension of concepts to individual worth and human rights.
—Perdita Huston, Ms., December 2001/January 2002
The new dynamic duo have little in common but a bright orange ball.
—Stephen Rodrick, ESPN, 3 Apr. 2000
an exciting and dynamic performance
the dynamic theory of heat
Noun
… the high-tech world is, at heart, a cruel, unforgiving place ruled by the merciless dynamics of the marketplace.
—Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 27 June 2002
… my memory of specific events is sketchy, but the general emotional flavor is engraved on my mind as a classic example of my family's bent dynamic.
—Florence King, National Review, 15 Oct. 2001
… the Cambrian Explosion, created the evolutionary dynamic that produced most of the species that subsequently populated the earth, from insects and fish to dinosaurs and humans.
—J. Madeleine Nash, Time, 20 Aug. 2001
Raisons d'état, not the dynamics of capitalism, created the American thrust for world influence.
—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986
the dynamic between a doctor and a patient
Group dynamics are important to consider.
The dynamics of this class are different from those of other classes.
Disease was a central dynamic in the decrease in population.
a study on famine and population dynamics
Recent Examples on the Web
Erik Logan, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
The church was built to house Boston’s growing colonial Anglican community and its interior was much more colorful and dynamic than what visitors see today.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
That combination of dynamics can create a painfully high-stress environment sparked with moments of reward to keep it meaningful.
—Elizabeth Edwards, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dynamic 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
As Ryan Seacrest counts us down to the ball drop in Times Square, 2025 will be a very dynamic and robust year.
—Erik Logan, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
The church was built to house Boston’s growing colonial Anglican community and its interior was much more colorful and dynamic than what visitors see today.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
This trend reflects broader societal shifts, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in family dynamics.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
That combination of dynamics can create a painfully high-stress environment sparked with moments of reward to keep it meaningful.
—Elizabeth Edwards, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dynamic
Dictionary Entries Near dynamic
Cite this Entry
“Dynamic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynamic. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
dynamic
adjective
dy·nam·ic
dī-ˈnam-ik
1
2
: functional sense 1b
a dynamic disease
3
a
: marked by continuous usually productive activity or change
a dynamic population
b
: marked by energy or forcefulness
a dynamic personality
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