To save this word, you'll need to log in.
an·ti-de Sit·ter space | \ ¦an-ˌtī-də-¦si-tər- 
, ¦an-tē- \
, ¦an-tē- \Definition of anti-de Sitter space
physics
: the simplest hypothetical space-time that has negative curvature The simplest spacetime with positive curvature is called de Sitter space, after Willem de Sitter, the Dutch physicist who introduced it. Many cosmologists believe that the very early universe was close to being a de Sitter space. The far future may also be de Sitter-like because of cosmic acceleration. Conversely, the simplest negatively curved spacetime is called anti-de Sitter space. It is similar to hyperbolic space except that it also contains a time direction. Unlike our universe, which is expanding, anti-de Sitter space is neither expanding nor contracting. It looks the same at all times.— Juan Maldacena, Scientific American, November 2005 — compare de sitter space
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on anti-de Sitter space
What made you want to look up anti-de Sitter space? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share anti-de Sitter space
Time Traveler for anti-de Sitter space
The first known use of anti-de Sitter space was in 1998
See more words from the same year