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
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
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
-
Klay’s gravity leads to a miscommunication and Livingston dunks.
-
Water was then jettisoned to check handling as the center of gravity moved forward.
-
Best beer pubs (tie): Pangaea, Capitol Beer and Tap Room, Final Gravity.
-
To ensure maximum agility, the ATVs are built with a low center of gravity.
-
Now, as his trial begins this week in federal court in Alexandria, a jury will weigh whether a mistake of that gravity can be forgiven under terrorism laws.
-
Valdiserri, likewise, realized the gravity of the situation but had a different initial reaction.
-
Dr. Green has had to disqualify a number of patients who could no longer understand the gravity of the decision before them.
-
At the initial meeting of the group, which took place at the city's public safety building on May 10, participants decided to work on ways to educate the public about the gravity of the problem and to scare young people from trying drugs.
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
-
: a very serious quality or condition : the condition of being grave or serious
-
: 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
-
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
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up gravity? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!