gravity

noun

grav·​i·​ty ˈgra-və-tē 

plural gravities

often attributive

1

a(1)

: the gravitational attraction of the mass of the earth, the moon, or a planet for bodies at or near its surface

(2)

: a fundamental physical force that is responsible for interactions which occur because of mass between particles, between aggregations of matter (such as stars and planets), and between particles (such as photons) and aggregations of matter, that is 10^-39 times the strength of the strong force, and that extends over infinite distances but is dominant over macroscopic distances especially between aggregations of matter

called also gravitation, gravitational force

compare electromagnetism sense 2a, strong force, weak force

b

: acceleration of gravity

c

: specific gravity

2

a

: dignity or sobriety of bearing

a person of gravity and learning

b

: importance, significance

especially : seriousness

the gravity of the offense

c

: a serious situation or problem

3

: weight

Synonyms of gravity

• intentness
• seriousness
• earnestness
• graveness

Examples of gravity in a Sentence

the hospital waiting room was filled with the kind of gravity that inevitably accompanies worry

Recent Examples on the Web

At that perilous moment, the players put football in perspective and sensed the historical implications of failing to acknowledge the event’s gravity. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

So the team figured the right way to do it would be to put an atom into a superposition of paths, where one path sees the atom thrown upward and has gravity return it to its original location. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

There’s gravity already there, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026

At the end of the trailer, the whale breaches, but gravity looks to undo a lot of the work Jay has done to get close to exiting the beast. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French gravité "heaviness, weight, dignity, seriousness," borrowed from Latin gravitāt-, gravitās "heaviness, weight, oppressiveness, severity, dignity, seriousness," from gravis "heavy, weighty, oppressive, serious" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at grave entry 2

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing gravity

• acceleration of gravity
• center of gravity
• gravity wave
• specific gravity
• zero gravity

Rhymes for gravity

• cavity
• concavity
• depravity
• intracavity
• microgravity
• supergravity

Kids Definition

gravity

noun

grav·​i·​ty ˈgrav-ət-ē 

plural gravities

1

a

: the quality or state of being dignified and proper

b

: the quality or state of being important or serious

2

: weight

3

a

: the gravitational attraction of the mass of a heavenly body (as the earth) for bodies at or near its surface

b

: a force of attraction between particles or bodies that occurs because of their mass, is stronger as mass is increased, and is weaker as the distance between the objects is increased

c

: acceleration of gravity

Etymology

from early French gravité or Latin gravitas, both meaning "the quality or state of being serious or dignified, the quality of being weighty," from Latin gravis "heavy, serious" — related to aggravate, grave entry 3, grieve

Medical Definition

gravity

noun

grav·​i·​ty ˈgrav-ət-ē 

plural gravities

1

: weight sense 1

—used chiefly in the phrase center of gravity

2

a

: the gravitational attraction of the mass of the earth, the moon, or a planet for bodies at or near its surface

broadly : gravitation

b

: acceleration of gravity

c

: specific gravity

gravity adjective