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

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 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gravity wave was in 1877

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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