joule

[ jool, joul ]

nounPhysics.
  1. the standard unit of work or energy in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the work done by a force of one newton when its point of application moves through a distance of one meter in the direction of the force: equivalent to 107 ergs and one watt-second. Abbreviations: J, j

Origin of joule

1
First recorded in 1885–90; named after J. P. Joule
  • Also called new·ton-me·ter [noot-n-mee-ter, nyoot-] /ˈnut nˌmi tər, ˈnyut-/ .

Other definitions for Joule (2 of 2)

Joule
[ jool, joul ]

noun
  1. James Prescott, 1818–89, English physicist.

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How to use joule in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for joule (1 of 2)

joule

/ (dʒuːl) /


noun
  1. the derived SI unit of work or energy; the work done when the point of application of a force of 1 newton is displaced through a distance of 1 metre in the direction of the force. 1 joule is equivalent to 1 watt-second, 10 7 ergs, 0.2390 calories, or 0.738 foot-pound: Symbol: J

Origin of joule

1
C19: named after James Prescott Joule

British Dictionary definitions for Joule (2 of 2)

Joule

/ (dʒuːl) /


noun
  1. James Prescott. 1818–89, English physicist, who evaluated the mechanical equivalent of heat and contributed to the study of heat and electricity

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for joule (1 of 2)

joule

[ jōōl, joul ]


  1. The SI derived unit used to measure energy or work. One joule is equal to the energy used to accelerate a body with a mass of one kilogram using one newton of force over a distance of one meter. One joule is also equivalent to one watt-second.

Scientific definitions for Joule (2 of 2)

Joule

  1. British physicist who demonstrated that heat is a form of energy. His work established the law of conservation of energy, stating that energy is never destroyed but may be converted from one form into another. The joule unit of energy is named for him.

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