gravity

noun, often attributive

grav·i·ty | \ ˈgra-və-tē

plural gravities

Definition of gravity

1a : dignity or sobriety of bearing a person of gravity and learning

b : importance, significance especially : seriousness the gravity of the offense

c : a serious situation or problem

2 : weight

3a(1) : the gravitational attraction of the mass of the earth, the moon, or a planet for bodies at or near its surface

(2) : a fundamental physical force that is responsible for interactions which occur because of mass between particles, between aggregations of matter (such as stars and planets), and between particles (such as photons) and aggregations of matter, that is 10^-39 times the strength of the strong force, and that extends over infinite distances but is dominant over macroscopic distances especially between aggregations of matter

— called also gravitation, gravitational force

— compare electromagnetism sense 2a, strong force, weak force

b : acceleration of gravity

c : specific gravity

Other Words from gravity Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about gravity

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Examples of gravity in a Sentence

the hospital waiting room was filled with the kind of gravity that inevitably accompanies worry

Recent Examples on the Web

But a 10% year-over-year sales decline last month showed that not even Geely can defy gravity in a sinking market. — Trefor Moss, WSJ, "More Signs of Trouble in China’s Auto Market," 14 Nov. 2018 Tony Hawk just turned 50—50!—and after decades defying gravity, he's learned that a more down-to-earth lifestyle is an adrenaline rush. — Jacob Feldman, SI.com, "How Does an Action Sports Superstar Age? Tony Hawk Is Figuring It Out on the Fly," 2 July 2018 Listeners from both sides of the pond were emulating the hairstyle that attempted to defy gravity. — Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, "Flock of Seagulls singer Mike Score recalls overnight success with 'I Ran': 'It was a bit much'," 28 June 2018 In fact, Dettori was in excellent spirits before even reaching the trophy stage, literally jumping out of the stirrups following his win and defying gravity in the process. — Raisa Bruner, Time, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Had Such a Grand Old Time at the Horse Race," 19 June 2018 This process uses a tube to suck liquid from one container into another, somehow seeming to defy gravity. — Ben Finio, Scientific American, "Walking Water," 3 May 2018 Those teeny tiny little straps that seem to defy gravity in holding up a top? — Anika Reed, USA TODAY, "The early '00s are back and you're going to want to stock up on tube tops and spaghetti straps," 1 May 2018 While Trump seems to be defying political gravity, some prominent critics and observers are beginning to worry about longer term damage -- and not to the President's own political standing. — Stephen Collinson, CNN, "An unbelievable week -- or just another week in Trump world," 27 Apr. 2018 In it, Ariana defies gravity and walks on the ceilings of chapels and sides of skyscrapers. — Brianna Wiest, Teen Vogue, "Ariana Grande's "No Tears Left to Cry" Has a Dizzy Connection to "High School Musical 3"," 25 Apr. 2018

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