gravity wave

American  

noun

1. Astronomy, Physics. gravitational wave.

2. a wave created by the action of gravity on local variations in the density of a stratified fluid, as the atmosphere, or at an interface between fluids of different density, as a liquid and a gas.

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gravity wave British  

noun

1. a wave propagated in a gravitational field, predicted to occur as a result of an accelerating mass

2. a surface wave on water or other liquid propagated because of the weight of liquid in the crests

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Etymology

Origin of gravity wave

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

There are two ways the lightning may have formed within this ring-shaped gravity wave.

From Scientific American

But if a gravity wave is pulsing through the Earth, making one of the tubes repeatedly infinitesimally longer and the other infinitesimally shorter, the beam will not recombine as expected.

From Seattle Times

In turn, this information might help researchers better calibrate gravity wave detecting devices.

From Salon

‘Sounds like a thud’ – Two black holes colliding produced a gravity wave that scientists were able to replay through their sound system.

From The Guardian

"This deflection creates a gravity wave downwind of the topographic barrier not unlike a wave you might generate by throwing a pebble into a pond," the agency states.

From Fox News