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 1916, Albert Einstein discovered that his theory of general relativity predicted the existence of gravitational waves — ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by anything with mass that accelerates.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2025
In fact, according to the study authors, the Nobel Prize–winning detection of gravitational waves in 2017 also relied on such tricks to measure shifts thousands of times smaller than a proton.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2025
Construction began in 1994 and took more than 20 years, including a four-year shutdown to improve the detectors, before LIGO detected its first gravitational wave in 2015: a ripple in the space-time fabric coming from the faraway collision of a pair of black holes.
—Anil Ananthaswamy, Wired News, 16 Aug. 2025
Other things astrophysicists might look for in trying to find a wormhole include gravitational waves or radiation like those associated with black holes.
—Madison Dapcevich, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2025
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Paul Sutter, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2025
In fact, according to the study authors, the Nobel Prize–winning detection of gravitational waves in 2017 also relied on such tricks to measure shifts thousands of times smaller than a proton.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2025
Construction began in 1994 and took more than 20 years, including a four-year shutdown to improve the detectors, before LIGO detected its first gravitational wave in 2015: a ripple in the space-time fabric coming from the faraway collision of a pair of black holes.
—Anil Ananthaswamy, Wired News, 16 Aug. 2025
Other things astrophysicists might look for in trying to find a wormhole include gravitational waves or radiation like those associated with black holes.
—Madison Dapcevich, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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