gravity wave

noun

|Updated on: 24 Jul 2018

Definition of gravity wave

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

Recent Examples of gravity wave from the Web

If a perturbation were to jostle this fluid, a gravity wave would result.

— matthew cappucci, Washington Post, "Wicked cool wave clouds crash over Boston area," 6 Apr. 2018
The cloud ridge was located above a region of highlands called Aphrodite Terra and seemed to be a shockingly large atmospheric gravity wave—not unlike a stationary ripple above a rock in a flowing stream.

— scott k. johnson, Ars Technica, "Huge wave in Venus’ clouds changes the length of a day," 22 June 2018
This is because mountains provide the lift, wind shear and associated gravity waves needed to produce these unusual cloud formations.

— kathryn prociv, Washington Post, "Qui vivra verra! Two rare cloud types, lenticular and Kelvin-Helmholtz, hover over France.," 26 Jan. 2018
Today a host of sci-fi-worthy gizmos monitor the incessant deluge of cosmic particles as well as the intermittent quiver of gravity waves washing over our planet.

— alan hirshfeld, WSJ, "Review: A New Astronomy Through ‘The Telescope in the Ice’," 15 Dec. 2017
But gravity waves can come to us from beyond the light barrier.

— NBC News, "Gravitational Waves May Solve Some Big Cosmic Riddles," 5 Oct. 2017
Get the latest Irma info @ https://t.co/cSGOfrM0lG pic.twitter.com/EIQL1Vv9Ra — NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) September 7, 2017 The gravity wave pattern emanating outward is astounding.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "The view from above: NASA and NOAA satellites capture every detail of Irma," 11 Sep. 2017

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