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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ScienceExamples of gravitational wave in a Sentence
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In the same way, atoms under the influence of a gravitational wave produce a directional pattern in their emitted light.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Researchers are excited about gravitational waves because these spacetime ripples constitute an entirely new way to study the universe, independent of the electromagnetic radiation (light) upon which most other astronomical observations rely.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
For example, gravitational waves that radiate away energy from binary neutron stars are a phenomenon of general relativity, which succeeded Newtonian gravity, and as such they are not considered by Newtonian physics.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2026
At the conference, there were several talks each day that delved into esoteric topics, such as gravitational wave physics, that would later dominate the field.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
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Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Researchers are excited about gravitational waves because these spacetime ripples constitute an entirely new way to study the universe, independent of the electromagnetic radiation (light) upon which most other astronomical observations rely.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
For example, gravitational waves that radiate away energy from binary neutron stars are a phenomenon of general relativity, which succeeded Newtonian gravity, and as such they are not considered by Newtonian physics.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2026
At the conference, there were several talks each day that delved into esoteric topics, such as gravitational wave physics, that would later dominate the field.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
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 30 Mar. 2026.
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