History of flight | Airplanes, Dates, & Facts - Britannica
Thus, the story of the invention of the airplane begins in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, with the first serious research into aerodynamics—the study of ...
dynamic
In the history of flight, the most important landmarks and events include an understanding of the <anchor>dynamic</anchor> reaction of lifting surfaces (or wings), building absolutely reliable engines that produce sufficient power to propel an airframe, and solving the problem of flight control in three dimensions. At the start of the 20th century, the Wright brothers demonstrated that the basic technical problems associated with heavier-than-air flying machines had been overcome, and military and civil aviation developed quickly afterward.
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Est. 1828


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# dynamic

1 of 2

## [adjective](/dictionary/adjective)

dy·​nam·​ic[dī-ˈna-mik ![How to pronounce dynamic (audio)](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/audio-pron-redesign.svg)](/dictionary/dynamic?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=d&file=dynami01 "How to pronounce dynamic (audio)")

[Synonyms of _dynamic_![next](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/arrows/interlink-right.svg)](/thesaurus/dynamic)

1

a

**:** marked by usually [continuous](/dictionary/continuous) and productive activity or change
a dynamic city

b

**:** [energetic](/dictionary/energetic), [forceful](/dictionary/forceful)
a dynamic personality

2

or less commonly dynamical
[dī-ˈna-mi-kəl ![How to pronounce dynamic (audio)](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/audio-pron-redesign.svg)](/dictionary/dynamic?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=d&file=dynami02 "How to pronounce dynamic (audio)")

a

**:** of or relating to [physical](/dictionary/physical#h1) force or energy

b

**:** of or relating to dynamics (see [dynamicsentry 1](/dictionary/dynamics#h1))

3

of random-access memory**:** requiring [periodic](/dictionary/periodic) refreshment of charge in order to retain data

dynamically

[dī-ˈna-mi-k(ə-)lē ![How to pronounce dynamic (audio)](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/audio-pron-redesign.svg)](/dictionary/dynamic?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=d&file=dynami03 "How to pronounce dynamic (audio)")

adverb

dynamic

2 of 2

## [noun](/dictionary/noun)

plural dynamics

**:** a force or factor that controls or influences a process of growth, change, interaction, or activity **:** a dynamic force or factor
a social/cultural/interpersonal dynamic

… describes a world order that seems to be evolving from ideology as the principal dynamic …—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Woody West

Denial has always been the most devastating social and political dynamic of the AIDS epidemic …—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)June E. Osborn

Still, one wonders, Is there a way to achieve … results without some of the extraneous nastiness, the relentless controlling dynamic?—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Jack McCallum

see also [dynamicsentry 1](/dictionary/dynamics#h1)

## Synonyms

Adjective

- [energetic](/dictionary/energetic)
- [flush](/dictionary/flush)
- [gingery](/dictionary/gingery)
- [lusty](/dictionary/lusty)
- [peppy](/dictionary/peppy)
- [red-blooded](/dictionary/red-blooded)
- [robust](/dictionary/robust)
- [vigorous](/dictionary/vigorous)
- [vital](/dictionary/vital)

[See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus ![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-orange.svg)](/thesaurus/dynamic)

## Examples of _dynamic_ in a Sentence

Adjective… tournament blackjack is more dynamic, and more complex, than simply playing against the house.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Michael Kaplan, _Cigar Aficionado_, December 2002

Indeed, one of the most dynamic influences on family life and society in the last century was the extension of concepts to individual worth and human rights.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Perdita Huston, _Ms._, December 2001/January 2002

The new dynamic duo have little in common but a bright orange ball.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Stephen Rodrick, _ESPN_, 3 Apr. 2000


an exciting and _dynamic_ performance

the _dynamic_ theory of heat Noun… the high-tech world is, at heart, a cruel, unforgiving place ruled by the merciless dynamics of the marketplace.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Michiko Kakutani, _New York Times_, 27 June 2002

… my memory of specific events is sketchy, but the general emotional flavor is engraved on my mind as a classic example of my family's bent dynamic.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Florence King, _National Review_, 15 Oct. 2001

… the Cambrian Explosion, created the evolutionary dynamic that produced most of the species that subsequently populated the earth, from insects and fish to dinosaurs and humans.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)J. Madeleine Nash, _Time_, 20 Aug. 2001

Raisons d'état, not the dynamics of capitalism, created the American thrust for world influence.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., _The Cycles of American History_, 1986


the _dynamic_ between a doctor and a patient

Group _dynamics_ are important to consider.

The _dynamics_ of this class are different from those of other classes.

Disease was a central _dynamic_ in the decrease in population.

a study on famine and population _dynamics_See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Discover the secrets to delivering impactful virtual presentations and leading _dynamic_ online meetings.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)William Arruda, _Forbes_, 5 Sep. 2024 But for all the shoots that use the city as a backdrop, there are few that actually center it as a _dynamic_ metropolis worthy of its own mythology.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Alison Herman, _Variety_, 5 Sep. 2024

Noun

Benites-Palomino says this discovery provides a unique window into the food chain _dynamics_ of this epoch.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Melissa Cristina Marquez, _Forbes_, 6 Sep. 2024 Marsh and Talia can see the comments as the show unfurls and often respond to the audience or make decisions at their behest, a _dynamic_ that further plays up the story’s interactivity and angst.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Stephen Kearse, _The Atlantic_, 6 Sep. 2024 [See all Example Sentences for _dynamic_![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar.svg)![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar-hover.svg)](/sentences/dynamic)

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dynamic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. [Send us feedback](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GAQr3Kn1cURCVHUA82hAga1Wv8DCH0IuqDLRUrOpN7M/viewform?ts=63f4f653&entry.1515682415=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary%2Fdynamic) about these examples.


## Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from French _dynamique_ or New Latin _dynamicus_ "relating to physical force or energy," borrowed from Greek _dynamikós_ "powerful, efficacious," from _dýnamis_ "power, strength, capability" (i-stem derivative, with suffixal _-m-,_ of _dýnamai, dýnasthai_ "to be able, have the strength or capability (to do something), be equivalent to," of uncertain origin) + _-ikos_ [-ic entry 1](/dictionary/-ic#h1)

Note:
French _dynamique_ and New Latin _dynamicus_ were popularized, if not introduced, by Gottfried Wilhelm [leibniz](/dictionary/Leibniz#b). The Greek verb _dýnamai_ appears to have been an original nasal present with the _-n-_ infix generalized throughout the paradigm. If an Indo-European base _\*deu̯h2-_ (or _\*deh2u̯-_?) "to fit together, join" is reconstructible on the basis of Tocharian B _tsuwa_ "(it) adhered, cohered," Germanic _\*taujan-_ "to prepare, make" (see [taw entry 1](/dictionary/taw#h1)), then _dy-n-a-_ may be allied; assumed is an approximate sense development "be joined" > "fit, be suitable" > "be capable."

Noun

borrowed from French _dynamique,_ noun derivative of _dynamique_ [dynamic entry 1](/dictionary/dynamic#h1)

First Known Use

Adjective

1744, in the meaning defined at [sense 2a](#h1)

Noun

1868, in the meaning defined [above](#h2)

Time Traveler

The first known use of _dynamic_ was
in 1744

[See more words from the same year](/time-traveler/1744?src=defrecirc-timetraveler-etycard)

## Phrases Containing _dynamic_

- [dynamic range](/dictionary/dynamic%20range)

## Dictionary Entries Near _dynamic_

[-dynamia](/dictionary/-dynamia)

dynamic

[dynamical parallax](/dictionary/dynamical%20parallax)

[See More Nearby Entries ![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-blue.svg)](/browse/dictionary/d/57)

## Cite this Entry

Style

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“Dynamic.” _Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary_, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynamic. Accessed 13 Sep. 2024.

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## Kids Definition

dynamic

adjective

dy·​nam·​ic
dī-ˈnam-ik

1

also dynamical

-ˈnam-i-kəl

a

**:** of or relating to physical force or energy

b

**:** of or relating to dynamics

2

a

**:** always active or changing
a _dynamic_ city

b

**:** marked by energy **:** [forceful](/dictionary/forceful#kidsdictionary)
a _dynamic_ personality

dynamically

-ˈnam-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

## Medical Definition

dynamic

adjective

dy·​nam·​ic[dī-ˈnam-ik ![How to pronounce dynamic (audio)](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/audio-pron-redesign.svg)](/dictionary/dynamic?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=d&file=dynami01 "How to pronounce dynamic (audio)")

1

also dynamical
[-i-kəl ![How to pronounce dynamic (audio)](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/audio-pron-redesign.svg)](/dictionary/dynamic?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=d&file=dynami02 "How to pronounce dynamic (audio)")

a

**:** of or relating to physical force or energy

b

**:** of or relating to [dynamics](/dictionary/dynamics#medicalDictionary)

2

**:** [functionalsense 1b](/dictionary/functional#medicalDictionary)
a dynamic disease

3

a

**:** marked by continuous usually productive activity or change
a dynamic population

b

**:** marked by energy or forcefulness
a dynamic personality

dynamically

[-i-k(ə-)lē ![How to pronounce dynamic (audio)](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/audio-pron-redesign.svg)](/dictionary/dynamic?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=d&file=dynami03 "How to pronounce dynamic (audio)")

adverb

## More from Merriam-Webster on _dynamic_

Nglish: [Translation of _dynamic_ for Spanish Speakers](http://www.nglish.com/spanish/dynamic)

Britannica English: [Translation of _dynamic_ for Arabic Speakers](http://arabic.britannicaenglish.com/dynamic)

Last Updated:8 Sep 2024 \- Updated example sentences

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