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.

—Science

Examples of gravitational wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This could have ramifications for a powerful method of investigating the cosmos called multimessenger astronomy, which involves studying events and objects in electromagnetic radiation along with gravitational waves or neutrinos. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2025

What would the amplitude of those gravitational wave fluctuations be? —Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025

The research team at Cardiff University took a bold step toward understanding the quantum nature of gravity by setting new limits on the existence of very high-frequency gravitational waves. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025

The perfect way to test that is to use gravitational waves to measure the surface of two colliding black holes and the resulting, unified black hole. —Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gravitational wave

• aftershave
• architrave
• autoclave
• microwave
• misbehave
• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave