gravitational radiation

noun

: a series of gravitational waves
also : the generation of such waves (as by a celestial object)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Merging black holes, spiraling white dwarfs, and spinning neutron stars all emit gravitational radiation. Korey Haynes, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2016 Damour and his fellow researchers helped develop a theory describing the orbital motion and gravitational radiation as a result of two merging black holes, which played an important role in the direct detection of gravitational waves in 2016. Dhananjay Khadilkar, Ars Technica, 18 July 2022 In the last few years, however, gravitational wave astronomy has made great strides in detecting gravitational radiation rippling through spacetime at the speed of light. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2021 Einstein first predicted that any accelerating mass should emit gravitational radiation in the form of waves. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2021 This is also the speed that any form of pure radiation, such as gravitational radiation, must travel at, and also the speed, under the laws of relativity, that any massless particle must travel at. Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 12 May 2021 The infall of normal matter, dark matter, neutrinos, and even regular (electromagnetic) radiation vastly outstrips the energy gain from incoming gravitational radiation. Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 18 June 2021 The quantum counterpart of gravitational radiation, the (spin=2) graviton, is only theorized; it has never been measured or detected directly. Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 18 June 2021 And there’s the energy in gravitational waves, a form of gravitational radiation that carries energy away from a system. Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 5 May 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gravitational radiation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gravitational radiation was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near gravitational radiation

Cite this Entry

“Gravitational radiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gravitational%20radiation. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY