noun
Common
newton
NOO-tuhn
Newton (noun) means the SI unit of force, equal to the force needed to accelerate one kilogram by one metre per second every second. Example: “The physics teacher asked us to calculate the force in newtons.”
noun
1
The SI unit of force, equal to the force needed to accelerate one kilogram by one metre per second every second.
"The physics teacher asked us to calculate the force in newtons."
"A force of ten newtons is needed to push the box."
"It takes about one newton of force to lift a small apple."
2
A soft cookie filled with a layer of fruit paste, wrapped in pastry.
"She packed a box of fig newtons for the road trip."
How to use newton
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA measurement of force in physics, or (capitalized as a brand) a fruit-filled cookie.
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Word forms
- Plural
- newtons
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The physics teacher asked us to calculate the force in _____.
Etymology
The unit of force was named in 1948 after Sir Isaac Newton, the English physicist who formulated the laws of motion.
Class of 1948
newton joined the language around 1948.
See the full Class of 1948 →
Synonyms
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N
Related words
Rhymes for newton
See all rhymes for newton →Frequently asked questions
What does “newton” mean?
The word “newton” means the SI unit of force, equal to the force needed to accelerate one kilogram by one metre per second every second. In plain terms, a measurement of force in physics, or (capitalized as a brand) a fruit-filled cookie.
How do you pronounce “newton”?
“Newton” is pronounced NOO-tuhn (/ˈn(j)uːtən/ in IPA).
How do you use “newton” in a sentence?
Here is “newton” used in a sentence: “It takes about one newton of force to lift a small apple.”
What part of speech is “newton”?
“Newton” is a noun.
Where does the word “newton” come from?
The word “newton” dates back to around 1948. The unit of force was named in 1948 after Sir Isaac Newton, the English physicist who formulated the laws of motion.
Is “newton” a common word?
“Newton” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “newton” have?
“Newton” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the SI unit of force, equal to the force needed to accelerate one kilogram by one metre per second every second.
What is the difference between a newton and a kilogram?
A newton measures force, while a kilogram measures mass. They are related but distinct: it takes one newton of force to accelerate a one-kilogram mass by one metre per second every second.
What is the difference between a newton and a joule?
A newton is the unit of force, while a joule is the unit of energy or work. One joule equals the work done when a force of one newton moves an object one metre in the direction of the force.
How many newtons does a one-kilogram object weigh on Earth?
On Earth, a mass of one kilogram weighs about 9.8 newtons, because gravity accelerates it at roughly 9.8 metres per second every second. Weight is a force, which is why it is measured in newtons rather than kilograms.
Why is 'newton' written with a lowercase letter?
When spelled out, the unit 'newton' is written in lowercase, following the convention for SI units named after people. Its symbol, however, is a capital N, so five newtons is written as 5 N.
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