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.—
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Researchers also suggest that a network of such systems could support future experiments in gravitational wave detection by tracking minute changes in distance between lunar instruments.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 May 2026
Which, more specifically, were gravitational waves.
—Weike Wang, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
After determining what this signature would look like, Vicente and colleagues searched through data gathered by LIGO and its fellow gravitational wave detectors, KAGRA (Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector) and Virgo, focusing on 28 of the clearest signals from merging black holes.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 May 2026
For example, accelerating masses create gravitational waves, literal ripples in the fabric of spacetime.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gravitational wave
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 May 2026
Which, more specifically, were gravitational waves.
—Weike Wang, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
After determining what this signature would look like, Vicente and colleagues searched through data gathered by LIGO and its fellow gravitational wave detectors, KAGRA (Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector) and Virgo, focusing on 28 of the clearest signals from merging black holes.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 May 2026
For example, accelerating masses create gravitational waves, literal ripples in the fabric of spacetime.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gravitational wave
Cite this Entry
“Gravitational wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gravitational%20wave. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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