What does telekinesis mean?
Telekinesis is the supposed ability to move, lift, or otherwise affect an object by mental power rather than physical contact. In science fiction and fantasy, it functions as a superpower, often involving concentration, gestures, or an emotional trigger. The word also appears in accounts of alleged paranormal abilities and in discussions of psychokinesis, a related term sometimes used as a synonym but often treated as broader. Telekinesis is not a scientifically established phenomenon; when used outside fiction, it should be understood as referring to a claim rather than a demonstrated mechanism. Derived from Greek words meaning “far” and “movement,” the name precisely captures the idea of movement at a distance. The word is useful because it identifies a specific, vivid convention in popular culture and gives writers a concise way to name an ability that distinguishes mental force from ordinary physical action.
nounThe supposed psychic power of moving, lifting, or otherwise affecting objects without physical contact. In fiction, it denotes an ability to exert mental or psychokinetic force on the physical world.
- The supposed ability to move, lift, or otherwise affect objects by mental power without physical contact, especially in fictional or accounts of alleged paranormal phenomena.
"She lifted the locked chest with telekinesis, though only for a few seconds."
"She lifted the locked chest with telekinesis, though only for a few seconds."
"A stage magician described the vanishing coin as a trick, not telekinesis."
The plural is recorded but uncommon; most modern usage treats the noun as uncountable.
"The novel depicts several telekineses, each with a different trigger."
Tele means far and kinetics means movement: telekinesis literally names the power of moving things at a distance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does telekinesis come from?
Telekinesis was formed in 19th-century English from Greek τέλε (tele), meaning “far” or “at a distance,” and κίνησις (kinesis), meaning “movement,” which comes from κινέω (kineō), “I move.” It belongs to a larger family of English scientific terms built on the Greek movement root, including kinetic, cinema, and kinesthetic. The component meaning “distance” distinguishes the supposed ability from ordinary physical movement.
Related word forms
How telekinesis is actually used
Chiefly used in science fiction, fantasy, descriptions of alleged paranormal abilities, and discussions of psychokinesis. It does not denote a scientifically established phenomenon, so non-fictional usage generally presents it as a claimed ability rather than a demonstrated mechanism.
Easily confused with telekinesis
Psychokinesis is often used synonymously, but in fictional and parapsychological usage it may refer more broadly to claimed mental influence over physical processes, whereas telekinesis usually focuses specifically on moving or manipulating objects.