Kinetic energy is defined as the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. This energy is dependent on two key factors: the mass of the object and its velocity. The formula for kinetic energy is \( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \), where \( m \) represents mass and \( v \) represents velocity. As either mass or velocity increases, the kinetic energy of the object also increases. This concept is crucial for understanding physical phenomena related to moving objects.