tribology
noun
tri·bol·o·gy
trī-ˈbä-lə-jē 
tri-
tri-
: a study that deals with the design, friction, wear, and lubrication of interacting surfaces in relative motion (as in bearings or gears)
Examples of tribology in a Sentence
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Leonardo da Vinci is usually credited with conducting the first systematic study of friction in the late 15th century, a subfield now known as tribology that deals with the dynamics of interacting surfaces in relative motion.
—
ArsTechnica,
26 Feb. 2026
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
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ArsTechnica,
26 Feb. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Tribology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tribology. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tribology
noun
tri·bol·o·gy
trī-ˈbäl-ə-jē
trib-ˈäl-
trib-ˈäl-
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
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