microgravity

noun mi·cro·grav·i·ty \ -ˈgra-və-tē \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of microgravity

: a condition in space in which only minuscule forces are experienced : virtual absence of gravity; broadly : a condition of weightlessness

See microgravity defined for kids

Recent Examples of microgravity from the Web

Argotec, makers of many a fine space food, teamed up with roast masters LavAzza to create the first microgravity espresso machine.

— john wenz, Popular Mechanics, "This Is the First Espresso Machine In Space," 24 Nov. 2014
Its 26 exhibits — including a rocket launch simulator and a human gyroscope — show the physical and psychological effects of living in microgravity on the human body and the technology used to complete a mission.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "exhibits for families," 28 Mar. 2018
Certainly, spending a year in microgravity with reduced oxygen and increased radiation levels could cause that type of change.

— robert markowitz, National Geographic, "No, Scott Kelly's Year in Space Didn't Mutate His DNA," 15 Mar. 2018
Elongation in outer space is normal, as the spine spreads out in microgravity.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "Alas, that Japanese astronaut did not really grow 9cm in space," 10 Jan. 2018
In part that’s because these are systems that behave very differently in microgravity.

— deborah netburn, latimes.com, "A former NASA astronaut says it wouldn't be so bad to transfer the space station to private management," 2 Mar. 2018
The library also will include space experiments such as antigravity drops, microgravity experiments, space food and rockets.

— Houston Chronicle, "Katy-area calendar of events," 29 Jan. 2018
And since scents tend to diffuse everywhere in microgravity, that means the station will smell like the fresh coffee after brewing.

— john wenz, Popular Mechanics, "Astronauts Can Finally Get a Good Cup of Coffee," 23 Apr. 2015
But the change in Scott’s DNA methylation seemed atypically large, perhaps because he was subjected to the atypically harsh conditions of space travel (freeze dried food, changing sleep patterns, exposure to microgravity, and so on).

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Astronaut Twin Study Shows How Hard Space Is on the Body," 1 Feb. 2017

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