a force that makes things move towards the centre of something when they are moving around that centre. Gravity is the centripetal force that keeps the planets orbiting around the Sun.
Synonyms and related words
Physical forces and processes
absorbance
air resistance
amplitude
centripetal force
noun uncountable physics
US /senˌtrɪpət(ə)l ˈfɔrs/
DEFINITIONS1
1
a force that makes things move toward the center of something when they are moving around that center. Gravity is the centripetal force that keeps the planets orbiting around the Sun.