gravity wave

noun

1

: a wave in a fluid (such as the ocean or the atmosphere) which is propagated because of the tendency of gravity to maintain a uniform level or in which gravity is the restoring force

2

: gravitational wave

Examples of gravity wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So far, however, climate modelers haven't been able to understand the effects of gravity waves that occur at higher altitudes. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 21 Jan. 2025

Lemmon and some other scientists believe gravity waves may be sufficiently cooling the atmosphere to allow carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to condense enough for thin clouds to form. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 12 Feb. 2025

Sato said that atmospheric waves, including gravity waves and global-scale tidal waves, affect the ionospheric dynamo, a process generating an electrical current around the planet through the interaction between Earth's magnetic field lines and the motions of the ionized air of the ionosphere. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 21 Jan. 2025

Wheeler’s research also bolstered Einstein’s concept of the gravity wave, another idea developing from relativity. —Ken Bridges, Austin American-Statesman, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gravity wave

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