absolute space

American  

noun

Physics.

1. space that is not affected by what occupies it or occurs within it and that provides a standard for distinguishing inertial systems from other frames of reference.

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Etymology

Origin of absolute space

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

However, these models hinged on access to privileged information about absolute space at all times -- information that the animal does not have.

From Science Daily • Oct. 30, 2023

“We had to adjust some notions of what we thought was absolute. There was absolute space and time for Newton,” Venkatesh says.

From Scientific American • May 22, 2023

Thus, Newton opined that motion is ultimately defined as change of position with respect to absolute space.

From Scientific American • Apr. 4, 2019

Whereas what happened at the beginning of the 20th century was the overthrow of absolute space and time, and more important the overthrow of universal causality.

From Scientific American • Apr. 27, 2012

In fact, he refused to accept lack of absolute space, even though it was implied by his laws.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking