gravitation

noun

grav·​i·​ta·​tion ˌgra-və-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a force manifested by acceleration toward each other of two free material particles or bodies or of radiant-energy quanta : gravity sense 3a(2)

2

: the action or process of gravitating

gravitational

ˌgra-və-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

gravitationally adverb

gravitative

ˈgra-və-ˌtā-tiv 

adjective

Examples of gravitation in a Sentence

the gravitation of young people to computer careers

Recent Examples on the Web

Introduction Contributing Writer June 13, 2025 fundamental physics gravity physics quantum gravity space-time theoretical physics thermodynamics All topics Isaac Newton was never entirely happy with his law of universal gravitation. —George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 13 June 2025

Folk and pacifism might be on brand for Bob Dylan, but the musician had quite a gravitation to throwing punches…allegedly. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025

Plus, the Field General quenches that thirst or gravitation towards nostalgia and timelessness. —Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 19 Feb. 2025

Black holes — the supermassive gravitation forces at the center of most galaxies — actually spend much of their time dormant, or essentially asleep. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin gravitātiōn-, gravitātiō, from gravitāre "to move downward by its own weight, gravitate" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gravitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

gravitation

noun

grav·​i·​ta·​tion ˌgrav-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a force of attraction that tends to draw particles or bodies together : gravity sense 3b

2

: the action or process of gravitating

gravitational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

gravitationally

-ē

adverb

gravitative

ˈgrav-ə-ˌtāt-iv 

adjective

Medical Definition

gravitation

noun

grav·​i·​ta·​tion ˌgrav-ə-ˈtā-shən 

: a force manifested by acceleration toward each other of two free material particles or bodies or of radiant-energy quanta as if they were particles (as in the bending of rays of starlight passing close to the sun) : an attraction between two bodies that is proportional to the product of their masses, inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them, and independent of their chemical nature or physical state and of intervening matter

gravitational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

gravitationally

-ē 

adverb