gravitation
|grav-i-ta-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌɡrævɪˈteɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌɡrævɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n/
attraction due to weight/mass
Etymology
'gravitation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'gravitas' (from 'gravis'), where 'gravis' meant 'heavy' or 'weighty'.
'gravis' in Latin gave the noun 'gravitas' (weight, seriousness); Late Latin formed 'gravitātio(n-)' meaning 'a leaning or heaviness', and this became English 'gravitation' via scientific Latin and early modern English usage (17th century onward).
Initially it referred to 'weight' or 'heaviness'; over time the meaning shifted to the specific physical concept of mutual attraction between masses (and later to metaphorical senses of attraction).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the natural force by which physical bodies with mass attract one another; the attraction between masses (used especially in physics).
Gravitation keeps the planets in orbit around the sun.
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Noun 2
a tendency or inclination to move toward or be attracted to something; a figurative pull or draw.
There was a strong gravitation toward the city among young artists.
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Last updated: 2025/10/30 13:53