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gravitational

American  
[grav-i-tay-shuh-nl] / ˌgræv ɪˈteɪ ʃə nl /

adjective

  1. Physics. of or relating to the force of attraction between two masses.

    The gravitational effect of the moon causes the rise and fall of ocean tides.

  2. of or relating to a strong movement or natural tendency toward something or someone.

    Their gravitational attraction to self-destructive behavior has been the subject of much study.


gravitational British  
/ ˌɡrævɪˈteɪʃənəl /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or involving gravitation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of gravitational

First recorded in 1850–55; gravitation ( def. ) + -al 1 ( def. )


Vocabulary lists containing gravitational

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Among the most useful observational tests are structure growth, redshift-space distortions, and weak gravitational lensing.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2026

The simulation could also help predict the patterns of gravitational waves generated by ancient galaxies and black holes.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 12, 2026

Under CCC+TL, the additional gravitational effect predicted by the model also follows the galaxies instead of the hot gas, but without requiring dark matter.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 11, 2026

Their reconnection describes a way for the gravitational field to transfer energy into matter.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 8, 2026

The black hole’s gravitational pull was bad enough.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

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