Word
gravitation
Phoneticsgrav·i·ta·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɡɹævɪˈteɪʃən/
UK/ɡɹˌævɪtˈeɪʃən/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the natural force that pulls objects toward each other. It is what keeps you on the ground and makes things fall.
n. the universal attractive force between bodies possessing mass, responsible for weight and orbital motion. Described classically by Newton's law and reinterpreted as spacetime curvature in general relativity.
Examples
“Gravitation keeps our feet firmly on the ground.”
“The teacher drops two balls to show how gravitation pulls objects down.”
“The same principle of universal gravitation explains both falling fruit and the motion of distant planets.”
Examples
simple
“Gravitation keeps our feet firmly on the ground.”
contextual
“The teacher drops two balls to show how gravitation pulls objects down.”
complex
“The same principle of universal gravitation explains both falling fruit and the motion of distant planets.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “gravitation” in context.
Verb
01. counteract gravitation
“Orbital motion counteracts gravitation to create weightlessness.”
verb + noun
02. defy gravitation
“No aircraft can truly defy gravitation without continuous thrust.”
verb + noun
03. gravitation attracts
“Gravitation attracts the moon and causes ocean tides.”
noun + verb
04. gravitation governs
“Gravitation governs the motion of stars within galaxies.”
noun + verb
05. gravitation holds
“Gravitation holds the planets in stable orbits around the sun.”
noun + verb
06. gravitation pulls
“Gravitation pulls falling objects directly toward Earth's centre.”
noun + verb
Adjective
07. einsteinian gravitation
“Einsteinian gravitation describes gravity as curvature of spacetime.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. force of gravitation
“The force of gravitation weakens rapidly with increasing distance.”
noun + prep + noun
09. law of gravitation
“Newton's law of gravitation revolutionised our understanding of physics.”
noun + prep + noun
10. defy the force of gravitation
“The magician seemed to defy the force of gravitation on stage.”
11. escape the pull of gravitation
“The probe escaped the pull of gravitation and headed for Mars.”
12. held by earth's gravitation
“The Moon is held by Earth's gravitation in a stable orbit.”
Real-World Examples
“His research examines connections between gravitation, superconductivity, and cosmology.” Etymology
Borrowed from New Latin gravitātiō, from gravitāt-, past participial stem of gravitō (“to gravitate”), + -tiō. By surface analysis, gravitate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/gravitation