Definitions for potentialpəˈtɛn ʃəl

po•ten•tialpəˈtɛn ʃəl(adj.)

possible, as opposed to actual:
the potential uses of nuclear energy.
capable of being or becoming:
a potential danger.
(esp. of a verb phrase, verb form, or mood) expressing possibility, as by using the auxiliaries can or
may.
Category: Grammar
Archaic.
Ref: potent1. 1
(n.)possibility; potentiality:
an investment that has little growth potential.
a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.
Physics. a scalar quantity equal to the work done in moving a body from a standard reference point to a given point in a field of force. a scalar quantity equal, at a given point in an electric field, to the work done in moving a unit charge to an infinite distance from the field's origin.
Category: Physics, Electricity and Magnetism

1350–1400; ME potencial (< OF) < LL potentiālis. See potency , -al1

po•ten′tial•ly(adv.)

potential, potentiality, potency(noun)
the inherent capacity for coming into being
electric potential, potential, potential difference, potential drop, voltage(adj)
the difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts
potential, possible(adj)
existing in possibility
"a potential problem"; "possible uses of nuclear power"
likely, potential(adj)
expected to become or be; in prospect
"potential clients"

potential(noun)əˈtɛn ʃəl
the possibility that exists within sb or sth to develop into sth
He has the potential to be a great singer.; a new drug that may have potential as a cure for some cancers; students who have not reached/realized their full potential
potentialəˈtɛn ʃəl
the possibility of sth happening
the potential for a flu epidemic; the potential for improvement
potential(adjective)əˈtɛn ʃəl
having a possibility of happening, being, or doing sth
potential problems with the idea; potential home buyers; a potentially difficult situation

potential(Noun)
Currently unrealized ability.
Even from a young age it was clear that she had great musical potential.
potential(Noun)
The gravitational potential is the radial (irrotational, static) component of a gravitational field, also known as the Newtonian potential or the gravitoelectric field.
potential(Noun)
The work (energy) required to bring a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a specified point against an electric field.
potential(Noun)
A verbal construction or form stating something is possible or probable.
potential(Adjective)
Existing in possibility, not in actuality.
potential(Adjective)
Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential.
potential(Adjective)
A potential field is an irrotational (static) field.
From Maxwell equations (6.20) it follows that the electric field is potential: E(r)uE000128544uE001=uE000128545uE001u2212gradu03C6(r).uE000128546uE001
potential(Adjective)
A potential flow is an irrotational flow.
The non-viscous flow of the vacuum should be potential (irrotational).uE000128547uE001
potential(Adjective)
Referring to a verbal construction of form stating something is possible or probable.

Origin: From potentialis, from potentia, from potens; see potent.

Potential(adj)
being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential
Potential(adj)
existing in possibility, not in actuality
Potential(noun)
anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially
Potential(noun)
in the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coordinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; -- also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center
Potential(noun)
the energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force

Potential
Potential in general may be treated as an attribute of a point in space, and may express the potential energy which a unit mass would have if placed at that point. This conception of potential is that of a property attributable to a point in space, such that if a unit mass were placed there the forces acting upon it would supply the force factor of energy, while the body would supply the mass factor. This property is expressible in units, which produce, if the supposed mass is a unit mass, units of work or energy, but potential itself is neither. Thus taking gravitation, a pound mass on the surface of the earth (assuming it to be a sphere of 4,000 miles radius) would require the expenditure of 21,120,000 foot pounds to remove it to an infinite distance against gravity. The potential of a point in space upon the surface of the earth is therefore negative and is represented by -21,120,000*32.2 foot poundals (32.2 = acceleration of gravity). (See Poundal.) In practice and conventionally all points on the earth's surface are taken as of zero potential. [Transcriber's note; 21,120,000 foot pounds is about 8 KWh.]