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

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is exploring nuclear power as a potential energy source for its artificial intelligence projects, aiming to bring reactors online by the early 2030s. —Emma Withrow, Baltimore Sun, 18 Dec. 2024

And because high humidity makes temperatures feel warmer, a humidifier could bring potential energy savings by lowering thermostat settings. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024

The warmer the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico get, the more potential energy goes into storms. —Greg McKenna, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024

Kinetic energy wouldn’t affect the universe’s expansion the way the potential energy did, so its effects wouldn’t be observable as time went on. —Marc Kamionkowski, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

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