Gravitational


[grav-i-tey-shuh n] /ˌgræv ɪˈteɪ ʃən/

noun
1.
Physics.

2.
a sinking or falling.
3.
a movement or tendency toward something or someone:
the gravitation of people toward the suburbs.
/ˌɡrævɪˈteɪʃənəl/
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or involving gravitation
/ˌɡrævɪˈteɪʃən/
noun
1.
the force of attraction that bodies exert on one another as a result of their mass
2.
any process or result caused by this interaction, such as the fall of a body to the surface of the earth
n.

1640s in physics sense, also figurative, from Modern Latin gravitationem (nominative gravitatio), noun of action from past participle stem of gravitare (see gravitate). Related: Gravitational.

gravitation grav·i·ta·tion (grāv’ĭ-tā’shən)
n.

gravitation
(grāv’ĭ-tā’shən)
See gravity.

The force, first described mathematically by Isaac Newton, whereby any two objects in the universe are attracted toward each other. Gravitation holds the moon in orbit around the Earth, the planets in orbit around the sun, and the sun in the Milky Way. It also accounts for the fall of objects released near the surface of the Earth. The modern theory of gravitation is the general theory of relativity.

Read Also:

  • Gravitational-collapse

    noun, Astronomy. 1. the final stage of stellar evolution in which a star collapses to a final state, as a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole, when the star’s nuclear reactions no longer generate enough pressure to balance the attractive force of gravity. 2. the initial stage of stellar evolution in which interstellar gases […]

  • Gravitational-constant

    noun, Physics. 1. constant of gravitation. See under . noun 1. the factor relating force to mass and distance in Newton’s law of gravitation. It is a universal constant with the value 6.673 × 10–11 N m² kg–2 G gravitational constant grav·i·ta·tion·al constant (grāv’ĭ-tā’shə-nəl) n. Abbr. G The constant in Newton’s law of gravitation that […]

  • Gravitational-field

    noun, Physics. 1. the attractive effect, considered as extending throughout space, of matter on other matter. 2. the region surrounding an astronomical body in which the force of gravitation is strong. noun 1. the field of force surrounding a body of finite mass in which another body would experience an attractive force that is proportional […]

  • Gravitational interaction

    noun 1. an interaction between particles or bodies resulting from their mass. It is very weak and occurs at all distances See interaction (sense 2)

  • Gravitational-lens

    noun, Astronomy. 1. a heavy, dense body, as a galaxy, that lies along our line of sight to a more distant object, as a quasar, and whose gravitational field refracts the light of that object, splitting it into multiple images as seen from the earth. noun 1. (astronomy) a lenslike effect in which light rays […]


Disclaimer: Gravitational definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.