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
Examples of gravity wave in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Tonga eruption confirmed that tsunamis can be caused by atmospheric gravity waves.
—
Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023
Astronomers use gravity waves in a similar manner: to probe the hidden depths of stars and understand their internal structure.
—Timmy Broderick, Scientific American, 31 July 2023
Suspending atoms at ultra-cold temperatures (near 0 degrees Kelvin) in laser arrays, quantum sensors can detect minute changes in gravity waves while becoming even more sensitive when quantum entangled.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2023
With quantum sensors, boosting the sensitivity to gravity waves can result in more data before a quake, giving valuable time for issuing a warning.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2023
The basic design of GQuEST is a table-top version of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO)’s gravity wave detector.
—Sarah Wells, Popular Mechanics, 10 Feb. 2023
The interaction of the gravity wave along the cloud base gives Asperitas its wave-like features.
—Graeme Marlton, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2018
That induced an up and down oscillating motion known as a gravity wave — akin to the ripples produced by a bobber in a pond.
—Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2021
Atmospheric gravity waves can be seen in satellite images taken by Australian weather forecast service Weatherzone on Monday and Tuesday.
—Maisy Mok, CNN, 24 Oct. 2019
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Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023
Astronomers use gravity waves in a similar manner: to probe the hidden depths of stars and understand their internal structure.
—Timmy Broderick, Scientific American, 31 July 2023
Suspending atoms at ultra-cold temperatures (near 0 degrees Kelvin) in laser arrays, quantum sensors can detect minute changes in gravity waves while becoming even more sensitive when quantum entangled.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2023
With quantum sensors, boosting the sensitivity to gravity waves can result in more data before a quake, giving valuable time for issuing a warning.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2023
The basic design of GQuEST is a table-top version of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO)’s gravity wave detector.
—Sarah Wells, Popular Mechanics, 10 Feb. 2023
The interaction of the gravity wave along the cloud base gives Asperitas its wave-like features.
—Graeme Marlton, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2018
That induced an up and down oscillating motion known as a gravity wave — akin to the ripples produced by a bobber in a pond.
—Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2021
Atmospheric gravity waves can be seen in satellite images taken by Australian weather forecast service Weatherzone on Monday and Tuesday.
—Maisy Mok, CNN, 24 Oct. 2019
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gravity wave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near gravity wave
Cite this Entry
“Gravity wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gravity%20wave. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on gravity wave
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gravity wave
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