tribology

noun

tri·​bol·​o·​gy trī-ˈbä-lə-jē How to pronounce tribology (audio) tri- How to pronounce tribology (audio)
: a study that deals with the design, friction, wear, and lubrication of interacting surfaces in relative motion (as in bearings or gears)
tribological
ˌtrī-bə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce tribology (audio) ˌtri- How to pronounce tribology (audio)
adjective
tribologist
trī-ˈbä-lə-jist How to pronounce tribology (audio)
tri-
noun

Examples of tribology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Indeed, tribology is a highly interdisciplinary field, a branch of study made up of mechanical engineering, materials science, biology, mathematics, and others. — Adrienne Bernhard, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2023 In fact, tribology’s influence on global energy consumption, emissions, healthcare and sustainability has never been more immediate. — Adrienne Bernhard, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2023 In part, because tribology itself is built on unseen forces all around us. — Adrienne Bernhard, Popular Mechanics, 7 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

tribo- + -logy

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tribology was in 1966

Rhymes for tribology

See All Rhymes for tribology

Browse Nearby Words

Tribolium
tribology
triboluminescence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tribology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tribology. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

tribology

noun
tri·​bol·​o·​gy trī-ˈbäl-ə-jē How to pronounce tribology (audio) trib-ˈäl- How to pronounce tribology (audio)
plural tribologies
: a branch of mechanical engineering that deals with the design, friction, wear, and lubrication of interacting surfaces (as bodily joints) in relative motion
tribological
ˌtrī-bə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce tribology (audio) ˌtrib-ə- How to pronounce tribology (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on tribology

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tribology

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All