What does centrifuge mean?
A centrifuge is a machine that separates substances of different densities by spinning them at extremely high speeds. When a container of mixed material rotates rapidly, denser particles are driven outward toward the walls while lighter components remain closer to the axis, allowing scientists to isolate components such as blood cells from plasma, cream from milk, or solids from liquids. The term also functions as a verb meaning to spin a sample in such a device, and as an abstract noun for the separation process itself. Centrifuges are indispensable across medicine, chemistry, molecular biology, and industry, ranging from small benchtop units in laboratories to vast industrial separators. The word derives from Latin roots meaning 'fleeing from the centre', a vivid description of the outward force the machine exploits. Its everyday familiarity comes chiefly from medical settings, where blood samples are routinely centrifuged before testing.
A machine that rotates containers of liquid at high speed to separate substances of different densities.
"She loaded the tubes into the centrifuge and set it to spin for ten minutes."
To subject a substance to rapid rotation in a centrifuge so as to separate its components.
"Centrifuge the sample at 3,000 rpm before decanting the supernatant."
Standard English plural; applies only when referring to multiple machines or devices.
"The laboratory was equipped with several high-speed centrifuges."
The word 'centrifuge' literally means 'fleeing from the centre' — a machine built to make things run away from each other at thousands of revolutions per minute.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of centrifuge
Centrifuge entered English in the late 19th century as a modern scientific coinage, formed from the Latin elements 'centrum' (centre) and 'fugere' (to flee), on the model of earlier words like 'centrifugal'. It shares its root with 'refuge', 'fugitive', and 'subterfuge', all ultimately tracing back to the same Latin verb meaning to flee. The machine it names was developed during the 19th century for industrial and laboratory separation tasks, and the word spread with its use.
Related word forms
How centrifuge is actually used
As a verb, 'centrifuge' is standard in laboratory contexts ('to centrifuge a sample'), though the longer form 'centrifugate' occasionally appears; 'centrifugation' is the usual noun for the process in technical writing.
Easily confused with centrifuge
Centrifugal force appears to push rotating objects outward, while centripetal force pulls them toward the centre of rotation; 'centrifuge' itself names the separating machine.