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special theory of relativity

British  

noun

  1. Also called: special relativity.  the theory proposed in 1905 by Einstein, which assumes that the laws of physics are equally valid in all nonaccelerated frames of reference and that the speed of electromagnetic radiation in free space has the same value for all inertial observers. It leads to the idea of a space-time continuum and the equivalence of mass and energy. In combination with quantum mechanics it forms the basis of the theory of elementary particles See also general theory of relativity

"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

Example Sentences

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According to Einstein’s special theory of relativity, this is a physical constant.

From Scientific American • Jul. 13, 2021

The interaction also seemed incompatible with elements of his special theory of relativity.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2019

That constant value of the speed of light led to Einstein’s special theory of relativity in 1905.

From Nature • Apr. 15, 2019

But his most important paper presented the special theory of relativity, a reexamination of space, time, and motion that added a whole new level of sophistication to our understanding of those concepts.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

This was true even of the special theory of relativity.

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.