gravity

UK: /ˈgrævɪti/ US: /ˈgrævɪti/ ,(grav′i tē)

Inflections of 'gravity' (n): npl: gravities

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

grav•i•ty /ˈgrævɪti/   n. [uncountable]

1. Physics the force of attraction by which objects tend to fall toward the center of a mass, as that of objects falling on earth.
2. serious or critical nature:
   an illness of considerable gravity.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

grav•i•ty  (grav′i tē), n., pl. -ties. 

1. Physics the force of attraction by which terrestrial bodies tend to fall toward the center of the earth.
2. Physics heaviness or weight.
3. Physics gravitation in general.
4. Physics See acceleration of gravity. 
5. Physics a unit of acceleration equal to the acceleration of gravity. Symbol: g
6. serious or critical nature:
   He seemed to ignore the gravity of his illness.
7. serious or dignified behavior;
   dignity;
   solemnity:
   to preserve one's gravity.
8. lowness in pitch, as of sounds.

• Latin gravitāt- (stem of gravitās) heaviness, equivalent. to grav(is) heavy, grave² + -itāt- -ity
• 1500–10

Synonyms

• 6. seriousness, danger, emergency, import.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

gravity / ˈɡrævɪtɪ/ noun ( -ties)

1. the force of attraction that moves or tends to move bodies towards the centre of a celestial body, such as the earth or moon
2. the property of being heavy or having weight
   See also specific gravity, centre of gravity
3. another name for gravitation
4. seriousness or importance, esp as a consequence of an action or opinion
5. manner or conduct that is solemn or dignified
6. lowness in pitch
7. (modifier) of or relating to gravity or gravitation or their effects: gravity wave, gravity feed

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin gravitās weight, from gravis heavy