gravity

noun

grav·​i·​ty ˈgra-və-tē How to pronounce gravity (audio)
plural gravities
often attributive
1
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
2
: weight
3
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

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 The results supported his theory, overturning Isaac Newton’s conception of gravity and propelling Einstein to worldwide fame. Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 More surprises To assess S. annulatus’ milk composition, the scientists extracted the liquid from five of the caecilian mothers with careful massages and the help of gravity, according to Pedro Mailho-Fontana, lead study author and another researcher at Butantan Institute. Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024 Historical or biographical conceits have long been fodder for the Oscars, lending an air of significance and gravity to film projects, and a tantalizing challenge to actors. Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Jeffrey Wright, who rightfully earned an Oscar nomination for best actor for his performance as Monk, approached this role with the gravity and perspective needed to convey such duality. Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Mar. 2024 And Einstein, in an incredible feat of genius, was able to —from that principle — derive an improved theory of gravity. Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 At the start of the decade, the global M&A market seemed to defy gravity. Marc Cooper, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Rigby and Madhusudhan say the depth is ultimately determined by the planet’s gravity and temperature because at a high enough pressure, water forms into various exotic types of ice. Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 Different types of asteroids that pose a threat — whether hard, stony asteroids or rubble piles, which are effectively loose piles of rock held together by gravity — would require different deflection techniques. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gravity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French gravité, from Latin gravitat-, gravitas, from gravis — see grave entry 2

First Known Use

1505, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of gravity was in 1505

Dictionary Entries Near gravity

Cite this Entry

“Gravity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gravity. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

gravity

noun
grav·​i·​ty ˈgrav-ət-ē How to pronounce gravity (audio)
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
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 How to pronounce gravity (audio)
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
gravity adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on gravity

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