Definition
A pump that moves fluid by spinning it. Liquid enters at the center of a rapidly rotating impeller, and the spinning motion throws the liquid outward to the rim of the pump housing, where it exits under pressure. Centrifugal pumps deliver a steady, high-volume flow but do not produce strong suction on their own, so they generally must be primed before use.
Plain English
A pump that uses a fast-spinning wheel to fling liquid outward, pushing it through the system.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft fuel, oil, cooling, and hydraulic system discussions, especially where a pump must provide steady fluid flow.
Derivation
From Latin centrum (center) and fugere (to flee). Literally 'fleeing the center' — which is exactly what the liquid does as the impeller spins it outward.
Why Pilots Care
Aircraft centrifugal pumps maintain reliable fuel flow regardless of attitude changes and reduce vapor-lock risk compared with other pump types.
Analogy
Think of swinging a bucket of water in a circle on a rope. The water is pressed outward against the bottom of the bucket. A centrifugal pump does the same thing inside a housing, then lets the pressed-out liquid escape through an outlet.
Intuition Check
A centrifugal pump does not move liquid by squeezing a fixed amount through each turn. It moves liquid by spinning it outward and building flow from that motion.
Example Sentence 1
The aircraft's fuel boost pump is a centrifugal pump mounted at the bottom of the tank.
Example Sentence 2
During the inspection the mechanic verified that the centrifugal pump maintained correct output pressure.