kinesis

1 of 2

noun

ki·​ne·​sis kə-ˈnē-səs How to pronounce kinesis (audio)
kī-
plural kineses kə-ˈnē-ˌsēz How to pronounce kinesis (audio)
kī-
: a movement that lacks directional orientation and depends upon the intensity of stimulation

-kinesis

2 of 2

noun combining form

plural -kineses
1
: division
karyokinesis
2
: production of motion
telekinesis

Examples of kinesis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The kinesis of the river, a question of the color and the motion of the water flow, is always hypnotic. — Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin, from Greek kinēsis

Noun combining form

New Latin, from Greek kinēsis, from kinein to move; akin to Latin ciēre to move

First Known Use

Noun

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kinesis was in 1905

Rhymes for kinesis

See All Rhymes for kinesis

Browse Nearby Words

kinesiology
kinesis
-kinesis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kinesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kinesis. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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Medical Definition

kinesis

noun
ki·​ne·​sis kə-ˈnē-səs How to pronounce kinesis (audio) kī- How to pronounce kinesis (audio)
plural kineses -ˌsēz How to pronounce kinesis (audio)
: a movement that lacks directional orientation and depends upon the intensity of stimulation

More from Merriam-Webster on kinesis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kinesis

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