newton

newton — noun

1. a standard unit for measuring how much push or pull acts on an object; one newto

1.nounB2
Definition

a standard unit for measuring how much push or pull acts on an object; one newton is the amount of force needed to make a one-kilogram object increase its speed by one metre per second every second

Example

One newton equals roughly the downward force of a small apple resting in your palm.

headword + equals + concrete everyday comparison

To lift the box, the worker needed to apply about fifty newtons of force.

apply + number + newtons of force

Common collocations
  • force of…newtons
  • …newtons of force
  • measured in newtons

Grammar Patterns

measure + something + in newtons

a force of + number + newtons

Usage Note

Newtons measure force or weight, not mass. On Earth, a mass of one kilogram has a weight of about 9.8 newtons, but people usually say 'one kilogram' in daily life instead of '9.8 newtons.'

Common Mistakes

This bag weighs fifty newtons.' (confuses mass with weight)
A force of fifty newtons is needed to lift this bag.
Newtons measure force, not the amount of matter. On Earth, a one-kilogram mass has a weight of about 9.8 newtons.
Idioms

Newton

idiom

a city in the state of Massachusetts, United States, located near Boston

The Chang family bought a house in Newton because of the good schools nearby.

Newton, Massachusetts, is known for its historic houses and green parks.

Isaac Newton

idiom

an English scientist (1642–1727) who discovered the laws of gravity and motion, and helped create modern physics and mathematics

Isaac Newton developed the three laws of motion that explain how objects move.

Students in Ms. Rivera's class studied how Isaac Newton linked the fall of an apple to the orbit of the Moon.

Word family

  • Newtonian
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Newton, dyne, and pound-force all measure force, but each belongs to a different measurement system. The newton is the international SI standard, used in science and engineering worldwide. The dyne belongs to the older centimetre-gram-second system — one newton equals 100,000 dynes, making the dyne useful only for very tiny forces. The pound-force (lbf) comes from the imperial system and is still found in some US engineering contexts; one pound-force equals about 4.45 newtons. For learners, 'newton' is the most widely recognized term globally. For example: 'The rocket engine produces 500,000 newtons of thrust' is internationally understood, while a US mechanic might say 'Tighten the bolt to 30 pound-feet.'

dynepound-force

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • measured in newtons

Prepositions

  • in newtons

Etymology

English (surname)English (scientific unit)

The unit is named after the English scientist Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727), whose laws of motion describe how force affects movement. The term 'newton' was adopted internationally in the late 19th century as scientists sought a standard unit for measuring force that could replace various regional measures.