The inward force on a body moving in a curved path around another body WordNet 3.0 & Open English WordNet

A centripetal force is a force that makes a body follow a curved path. Its direction is always orthogonal to the motion of the body and towards the fixed point of the instantaneous center of curvature of the path. Isaac Newton described it as "a force by which bodies are drawn or impelled, or in any way tend, towards a point as to a centre". Wikipedia

Force that makes a moving body follow a curved path Wikidata

The force on a rotating or orbiting body in the direction of the centre of rotation. Wiktionary