physics
FIHZ-ihks
Physics (noun) means the branch of science that studies matter, energy, space, and time, and how they interact. Example: “She's studying physics at university.”
noun
1
The branch of science that studies matter, energy, space, and time, and how they interact.
"She's studying physics at university."
"Physics explains why objects fall at the same rate regardless of weight."
"Our physics teacher showed us how a pendulum swings back and forth."
2
The physical principles or behavior underlying a particular thing or system.
"Engineers had to understand the physics of the bridge before building it."
"The physics of a good golf swing is more complicated than it looks."
"Game designers often borrow the physics of real objects to make movement feel natural."
How to use physics
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe science of how matter and energy behave.
Common pairings
quantum physics
laws of physics
physics degree
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Etymology
From Middle English phisik, ultimately from Greek phusike ("natural science"), from phusis ("nature").
Synonyms
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natural philosophy
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for physics
See all rhymes for physics →Frequently asked questions
What does “physics” mean?
The word “physics” means the branch of science that studies matter, energy, space, and time, and how they interact. In plain terms, the science of how matter and energy behave.
How do you pronounce “physics”?
“Physics” is pronounced FIHZ-ihks (/ˈfɪz.ɪks/ in IPA).
How do you use “physics” in a sentence?
Here is “physics” used in a sentence: “She's studying physics at university.”
What is the opposite of “physics”?
The opposite of “physics” — its antonyms — is nonphysics.
What part of speech is “physics”?
“Physics” is a noun.
Where does the word “physics” come from?
The word “physics” comes from Middle English. From Middle English phisik, ultimately from Greek phusike ("natural science"), from phusis ("nature").
Is “physics” a common word?
“Physics” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “physics” have?
“Physics” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the branch of science that studies matter, energy, space, and time, and how they interact.
Is physics singular or plural?
Despite ending in -s, "physics" as the name of the science takes a singular verb: "Physics is my favourite subject." It behaves like mathematics and economics. When it refers to the physical principles of a particular system, plural agreement appears in informal use, as in "the physics of the game are realistic," though singular agreement is also common.
What is the difference between physics and physical science?
Physics is one branch of science, studying matter, energy, space, and time and how they interact. "Physical science" is an umbrella term covering the sciences that deal with non-living systems, which includes physics alongside fields such as chemistry, astronomy, and earth science.
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