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Definition of physics noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

physics

noun
 
/ˈfɪzɪks/
 
/ˈfɪzɪks/
[uncountable]
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  1. the scientific study of matter and energy and the relationships between them, including the study of forces, heat, light, sound, electricity and the structure of atoms
    • a degree in physics
    • quantum/theoretical physics
    • the laws of physics
    • the physics laboratory/department
    • a physics professor/teacher
    • physics of something to study the physics of the electron
    see also astrophysics, geophysics, nuclear physics, particle physics, quantum physics
    Extra Examples
    • Einstein restructured modern physics.
    • the frontiers of fundamental physics
    • the undergraduate physics curriculum
    • university physics departments
    Topics Educationa2, Physics and chemistrya2, Scientific researcha2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • classical
    • Newtonian
    • modern
    phrases
    • the laws of physics
    See full entry
    Word Originlate 15th cent. (denoting natural science in general, especially the Aristotelian system): plural of obsolete physic ‘physical (thing)’, suggested by Latin physica, Greek phusika ‘natural things’ from phusis ‘nature’.
See physics in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee physics in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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