supergravity

American  

[soo-per-grav-i-tee] / ˌsu pərˈgræv ɪ ti /

noun

Physics.

1. supersymmetry

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supergravity British  

/ ˌsuːpəˈɡrævɪtɪ /

noun

1. physics any of various theories in which supersymmetry is applied to the theory of gravitation

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supergravity Scientific  

/ so̅o̅′pər-grăv′ĭ-tē /

1. A quantum field theory that combines general relativity with supersymmetry in order to unify gravity with the other fundamental forces of nature. Supergravity predicts the existence of the graviton as a carrier for the force of gravity, as well as a corresponding particle called the gravitino, neither of which have been observed experimentally.

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Etymology

Origin of supergravity

First recorded in 1975–80; super- + gravity

Example Sentences

Dr. Deser is perhaps best known for his work in the 1970s as one of the pioneers of supergravity, which expanded an idea known as supersymmetry to include gravity.

From New York Times • May 8, 2023

Dr. Deser worked with Bruno Zumino, one of the originators of supersymmetry, to add gravity to the theory, creating the theory of supergravity.

From New York Times • May 8, 2023

“Supersymmetry and supergravity were key elements in the ambitious program of using strings to make a consistent quantum theory of gravity,” says particle physicist John Ellis of CERN.

From Scientific American • Aug. 6, 2019

“Those results will hold whether or not supergravity actually exists in nature,” says Strominger.

From Nature • Aug. 5, 2019

One was that people were not really making much progress toward showing that supergravity was finite or that it could explain the kinds of particles that we observe.

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