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Definition of gravity
gravities
1a : dignity or sobriety of bearing a person of gravity and learningb : importance, significance; especially : seriousness the gravity of the offensec : 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 2a, strong force, weak forceb : acceleration of gravityc : specific 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 of gravity from the Web
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During the sentencing hearing, Judge Evelyne Sire-Marin emphasized the gravity of lying about issues of public interest.
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The worst came four innings later, when Dellin Betances, at one time as reliable as gravity, once again could hardly manage to get the ball over the plate.
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The students also submitted a technical paper discussing how their system could be used on Mars, considering the planet's different gravity and environment from Earth.
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Magic’s scouting acumen may be unknown, but his gravity and charm are legend.
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That left Justice Anthony Kennedy, the court’s perennial center of gravity, to be the bearer of bad news.
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The engines’ position on the wings will be moved to affect the aircraft’s center of gravity.
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Brazil, meanwhile, has made a name for itself in defying gravity—
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No amount of money obviates the costs of fighting gravity.
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.
Origin and Etymology of gravity
Middle French or Latin; Middle French gravité, from Latin gravitat-, gravitas, from gravis —see 4grave
Other Physics Terms
GRAVITY Defined for English Language Learners
gravity
playDefinition of gravity for English Language Learners
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: a very serious quality or condition : the condition of being grave or serious
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: the natural force that tends to cause physical things to move towards each other : the force that causes things to fall towards the Earth
GRAVITY Defined for Kids
gravity
playDefinition of gravity for Students
gravities
1 : a force of attraction that tends to draw particles or bodies together
2 : the attraction of bodies by the force of gravity toward the center of the earth
3 : great seriousness
Word Root of gravity
The Latin word gravis, meaning “heavy” or “serious,” gives us the root grav. Words from the Latin gravis have something to do with heaviness or seriousness. Something grave, or important, such as a situation, requires serious thought and consideration. To aggravate is to make a situation more serious. Gravity is a force that pulls everything towards the ground making it feel heavy.
Medical Dictionary
gravity
playMedical Definition of gravity
gravities
1: weight 1—used chiefly in the phrase center of gravity
2a: the gravitational attraction of the mass of the earth, the moon, or a planet for bodies at or near its surface; broadly : gravitationb: acceleration of gravityc: specific gravity
gravity
adjectiveLearn More about gravity
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See words that rhyme with gravity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gravity Spanish Central: Translation of gravity Nglish: Translation of gravity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of gravity for Arabic speakers
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