gravity

noun

grav·​i·​ty ˈgra-və-tē 

plural gravities

often attributive

1

a

: dignity or sobriety of bearing

a person of gravity and learning

b

: importance, significance

especially : seriousness

the gravity of the offense

c

: a serious situation or problem

2

: weight

3

a(1)

: the gravitational attraction of the mass of the earth, the moon, or a planet for bodies at or near its surface

(2)

: a fundamental physical force that is responsible for interactions which occur because of mass between particles, between aggregations of matter (such as stars and planets), and between particles (such as photons) and aggregations of matter, that is 10^-39 times the strength of the strong force, and that extends over infinite distances but is dominant over macroscopic distances especially between aggregations of matter

called also gravitation, gravitational force

compare electromagnetism sense 2a, strong force, weak force

b

: acceleration of gravity

c

: specific gravity

Synonyms

• earnest
• earnestness
• graveness
• intentness
• serious-mindedness
• seriousness
• soberness
• sobriety
• solemnity
• solemnness
• staidness

Examples of gravity in a Sentence

the hospital waiting room was filled with the kind of gravity that inevitably accompanies worry

Recent Examples on the Web

Amid this devastation, the city’s annual celebration of cinematic and musical achievement feels simultaneously distant and urgent, with events delayed and reimagined to reflect the moment’s gravity. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 16 Jan. 2025

With no way to simulate dust in lunar gravity on Earth, researchers currently only have anecdotal data from Apollo astronauts to help understand how a larger lander might affect the lunar surface. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 14 Jan. 2025

Their performances push the limits of human ability, defying gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control, according to a Poway OnStage press release. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025

The answer likely sits in the world of quantum gravity, which remains an unsolved problem in physics. —Paul Sutter, Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French gravité "heaviness, weight, dignity, seriousness," borrowed from Latin gravitāt-, gravitās "heaviness, weight, oppressiveness, severity, dignity, seriousness," from gravis "heavy, weighty, oppressive, serious" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at grave entry 2

First Known Use

1505, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gravity

• acceleration of gravity
• center of gravity
• gravity wave
• specific gravity
• zero gravity

Kids Definition

gravity

noun

grav·​i·​ty ˈgrav-ət-ē 

plural gravities

1

a

: the quality or state of being dignified and proper

b

: the quality or state of being important or serious

2

: weight

3

a

: the gravitational attraction of the mass of a heavenly body (as the earth) for bodies at or near its surface

b

: a force of attraction between particles or bodies that occurs because of their mass, is stronger as mass is increased, and is weaker as the distance between the objects is increased

c

: acceleration of gravity

Etymology

from early French gravité or Latin gravitas, both meaning "the quality or state of being serious or dignified, the quality of being weighty," from Latin gravis "heavy, serious" — related to aggravate, grave entry 3, grieve

Medical Definition

gravity

noun

grav·​i·​ty ˈgrav-ət-ē 

plural gravities

1

: weight sense 1

—used chiefly in the phrase center of gravity

2

a

: the gravitational attraction of the mass of the earth, the moon, or a planet for bodies at or near its surface

broadly : gravitation

b

: acceleration of gravity

c

: specific gravity

gravity adjective