gravitational wave
noun
: a disturbance in space-time in the form of a wave that propagates the gravitational field
Gravitational waves are a natural offshoot of the rubber-sheet construction of general relativity. Just as a massive object sitting on the fabric of spacetime creates a dimple, so moving or changing objects, under certain conditions, create wrinkles in the fabric. Those wrinkles, tiny distortions in spacetime, zoom away at the speed of light. Because these gravitational waves carry energy, anything emitting them will lose a tiny bit of its speed.—
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In fact, during the first period of the fourth observing run (known as O4A), LIGO saw more gravitational wave events than from all previous observing runs combined.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 17 Sep. 2025
The historic finding comes about a decade after the first detection of gravitational waves performed by a famous instrument known as LIGO.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Ten years after scientists observed gravitational waves for the first time, confirming Albert Einstein’s then century-old prediction, new data confirmed another renowned physicist’s seminal hypothesis.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The instruments detected gravitational waves, faint ripples in space-time produced by the two black holes slamming into each other.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gravitational wave
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Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 17 Sep. 2025
The historic finding comes about a decade after the first detection of gravitational waves performed by a famous instrument known as LIGO.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Ten years after scientists observed gravitational waves for the first time, confirming Albert Einstein’s then century-old prediction, new data confirmed another renowned physicist’s seminal hypothesis.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The instruments detected gravitational waves, faint ripples in space-time produced by the two black holes slamming into each other.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gravitational wave
Cite this Entry
“Gravitational wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gravitational%20wave. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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