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1. (n.) entropy
a function of thermodynamic variables, as temperature or pressure, that is a measure of the energy that is not available for work in a thermodynamic process.
2. entropy
(in data transmission and information theory) a measure of the loss of information in a transmitted signal.
3. entropy
(in cosmology) a hypothetical tendency for the universe to attain a state of maximum homogeneity in which all matter is at a uniform temperature.
4. entropy
a state of disorder, as in a social system, or a hypothetical tendency toward such a state.
Etymology: (< G Entropie (1865); see en -2, -tropy)
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| Definition of 'entropy' |
Princeton's WordNet |
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1. (noun) information, selective information, entropy
(communication theory) a numerical measure of the uncertainty of an outcome
"the signal contained thousands of bits of information"
2. (noun) randomness, entropy, S
(thermodynamics) a thermodynamic quantity representing the amount of energy in a system that is no longer available for doing mechanical work
"entropy increases as matter and energy in the universe degrade to an ultimate state of inert uniformity"
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| Definition of 'entropy' |
Webster Dictionary |
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1. (noun) entropy
a certain property of a body, expressed as a measurable quantity, such that when there is no communication of heat the quantity remains constant, but when heat enters or leaves the body the quantity increases or diminishes. If a small amount, h, of heat enters the body when its temperature is t in the thermodynamic scale the entropy of the body is increased by h / t. The entropy is regarded as measured from some standard temperature and pressure. Sometimes called the thermodynamic function
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| Definition of 'entropy' |
U.S. National Library of Medicine |
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1. entropy
The measure of that part of the heat or energy of a system which is not available to perform work. Entropy increases in all natural (spontaneous and irreversible) processes. (From Dorland, 28th ed)
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| Definition of 'entropy' |
The Standard Electrical Dictionary |
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1. entropy
Non-available energy. As energy may in some way or other be generally reduced to heat, it will be found that the equalizing of temperature, actual and potential, in a system, while it leaves the total energy unchanged, makes it all unavailable, because all work represents a fall in degree of energy or a fall in temperature. But in a system such as described no such fall could occur, therefore no work could be done. The universe is obviously tending in that direction. On the earth the exhaustion of coal is in the direction of degradation of its high potential energy, so that the entropy of the universe tends to zero. (See Energy, Degradation of.)
[Transcriber's note: Entropy (disorder) INCREASES, while AVAILABLE ENERGY tends to zero.]
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Definitions of entropy 
