noun

• 1Physics
  The force that attracts a body towards the centre of the earth, or towards any other physical body having mass.

  ‘Certainly, every type of matter we have ever encountered feels the attractive force of gravity.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Physics has found only four forces in nature: gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear.’
  • ‘Objects exert a force of gravity because they have mass and the more mass they have the stronger the force of gravity they exert.’
  • ‘Life on earth has evolved in the accelerative force of gravity, which attracts all material towards the centre of the earth and gives a mass of material the characteristic which we term weight.’
  • ‘The ball will fall to the floor due to the force of gravity pulling it down.’

  Synonyms

  attraction, attracting force, downward force, pull, weight, heaviness

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  1. 1.1The degree of intensity of gravity, measured by acceleration.
     ‘Specific gravity was measured by a harmonic oscillation method on the automated workstation.’
     More example sentences

     • ‘The speed of gravity has been measured for the first time, revealing that it does indeed travel at the speed of light.’
     • ‘Although these hidden dimensions remain too small to be measured, gravity can travel in between them.’
     • ‘Our estimates of the total mass of the Earth, M, and therefore its mean density, rely on the measurement of gravity.’
     • ‘It is not restricted to inertial frames, and it encompasses a broader range of phenomena, namely gravity and accelerated motions.’

• 2Extreme importance; seriousness.

  ‘crimes of the utmost gravity’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Naturally this only occurs in situations of extreme gravity or urgency threatening irreparable damage to persons.’
  • ‘They realized the full gravity of the situation when they scanned, what moments before, had been a room full of Sailors eating lunch.’
  • ‘This is a moment of utmost gravity for the world.’
  • ‘Even before you realize the full gravity of the situation, traffic comes to a standstill and shops start pulling down shutters.’
  • ‘They see a child but cannot perceive meaning or gravity or importance in him.’
  • ‘An interest in bad news demands a certain high level of national seriousness and gravity and, possibly, hopelessness.’
  • ‘In order that I not be misunderstood, I think that the alleged offences are serious but their gravity can only be determined after a full trial.’
  • ‘The children discussed the matter thoroughly, for hours, with a seriousness and gravity far beyond what one would expect of nine and ten year-olds.’
  • ‘All this information was delivered with such gravity, that I seriously began to doubt its authenticity.’
  • ‘It quickly became apparent that those involved believed the matter was of the utmost gravity, however.’
  • ‘And I think you've got to take a look at what he concealed to realize the gravity of the situation.’
  • ‘The offence of rape was clearly of the utmost gravity.’
  • ‘So that is unusual, too, and it shows the gravity and the importance of it.’
  • ‘First, and overwhelmingly, the charges are of the utmost gravity.’
  • ‘If I am right about that, then this is a matter of the utmost gravity for the people and economy of New Zealand.’
  • ‘They said that espionage is almost inevitably bound to be a crime of the utmost gravity.’
  • ‘The gravity of the situation was revealed in the monthly report on employment for February compiled by the National Statistical Office.’
  • ‘Few seem to realize the gravity of the situation.’
  • ‘Just then, I realized the gravity of my situation.’
  • ‘Sometimes people only realize themselves when the moment of gravity is upon them.’

  Synonyms

  seriousness, importance, profundity, significance, momentousness, moment, weightiness, weight, consequence, magnitude

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• 3Solemnity of manner.

  ‘has the poet ever spoken with greater eloquence or gravity?’

  More example sentences

  • ‘An air of gravity and solemnity pervaded the president's remarks as a stunned nation listened by radio.’
  • ‘He exuded dignity and gravity and he was courteous to counsel and witnesses alike.’
  • ‘He played this part with gravity and dignity, and in an understated style which set off the flamboyant persona of Henry VIII.’
  • ‘Velazquez painted a face of preoccupied gravity, of someone with great concerns.’
  • ‘That said, it was well researched and balanced with just enough savage irony to break the gravity with levity.’
  • ‘Rivka, Regine and Vera are older, mature characters who bring to the film both the weight of experience and the gravity of thoughtfulness.’
  • ‘It bestows on cricket though a gravity that goes way beyond just two teams of 11 fit young people playing a game against each other, doesn't it?’
  • ‘They did not treat the occasion with the gravity and dignity it deserved.’
  • ‘Her tone betrayed the gravity of her thoughts, and he gave her a peculiar look.’
  • ‘‘But we're very influential and important people,’ I say, with great mock gravity.’
  • ‘His service in the Senate, while not describable as stellar, has featured some important moments of gravity and responsibility.’
  • ‘The word Glasgow means Dear Green Place, but the grey Scottish sky adds gravity and seriousness to already formidable architecture.’
  • ‘This was a rather new experience for them, as elves are regarded as serious creatures, who contemplate things with an utmost gravity and never laugh out loud.’
  • ‘A woman in a grey dress and white apron, holding a little girl by the hand, approached, and spoke with gravity and great sweetness.’
  • ‘His drawings are very much like the way he spoke, with gravity, irony, and with unexpected turns of humor.’

  Synonyms

  solemnity, seriousness, sombreness, sobriety, soberness, severity

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