relativistic

adjective

rel·​a·​tiv·​is·​tic ˌre-lə-ti-ˈvi-stik 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by relativity or relativism

2

: moving at a velocity such that there is a significant change in properties (such as mass) in accordance with the theory of relativity

a relativistic electron

relativistically

ˌre-lə-ti-ˈvi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of relativistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This relativistic frame dragging affects material just outside the black hole profoundly. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 31 July 2025

In 1959, two physicists predicted another feature of relativistic motion: an object moving near the speed of light should also appear to be rotated. —ArsTechnica, 31 May 2025

However, a team of researchers from TU Wien and the University of Vienna, including Schattschneider, have found a way to simulate the conditions required to rotate the image of a relativistic object. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 14 May 2025

Enter relativistic electron beams made up of electrons moving close to the speed of light. —Victoria Corless, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for relativistic

• anachronistic
• animalistic
• antagonistic
• antiphlogistic
• behavioristic
• cannibalistic
• capitalistic
• characteristic
• collectivistic
• deterministic
• ethnolinguistic
• expressionistic

Kids Definition

relativistic

adjective

rel·​a·​tiv·​is·​tic ˌrel-ət-iv-ˈis-tik 

: of, relating to, or characterized by relativity

relativistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb