Kinetic means relating to motion or movement. When something is kinetic, it's moving or it involves movement. Scientists use this word to describe energy that comes from motion: a rolling bowling ball has kinetic energy, while a ball sitting still on a shelf has potential energy (energy waiting to be released).

You might hear about kinetic art, which is sculpture or artwork designed to move. Some kinetic sculptures spin in the wind, while others use motors or magnets to create mesmerizing patterns. The artist Alexander Calder became famous for his kinetic mobiles that dance and balance in the air.

When something transforms from still to moving, like when you release a stretched rubber band, potential energy becomes kinetic energy. The faster something moves, the more kinetic energy it has. That's why a fastball thrown by a professional pitcher has much more kinetic energy than the same ball tossed gently between friends.

In everyday language, people sometimes describe energetic, action-packed things as kinetic, like saying a movie has “kinetic” fight scenes full of rapid movement and excitement.