gravitational wave

noun

: a disturbance in space-time in the form of a wave that propagates the gravitational field

Gravitational waves are a natural offshoot of the rubber-sheet construction of general relativity. Just as a massive object sitting on the fabric of spacetime creates a dimple, so moving or changing objects, under certain conditions, create wrinkles in the fabric. Those wrinkles, tiny distortions in spacetime, zoom away at the speed of light. Because these gravitational waves carry energy, anything emitting them will lose a tiny bit of its speed.

—Science

Examples of gravitational wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is the concept that gravitational waves passing between us and a pulsar could disrupt the timing of a pulsar’s radio pulses. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2024

Black Hole Finder– Discover brand new baby black holes by analyzing gravitational wave events. —Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024

Then, wait until a gravitational wave from deep space passes by. —Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024

These gravitational waves could be detected by pulsar-timing arrays. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above