Word
gravitational
Phoneticsgrav·i·ta·tion·al
US/ˌɡɹævɪˈteɪʃənəɫ/
UK/ɡɹˌævɪtˈeɪʃənəl/
Definition
adj. relating to the natural force that pulls objects toward each other, like how the Earth pulls you toward the ground.
adj. relating to the force of attraction between any two masses in the universe. Typically describes the physical interaction between celestial bodies or the pull exerted by a planet.
Examples
“The moon's gravitational pull causes the tides on Earth.”
“Scientists measured the gravitational waves produced by the collision of two distant black holes.”
“The spacecraft utilized a gravitational assist from Jupiter to gain enough velocity to reach the outer edges of the solar system.”
Examples
simple
“The moon's gravitational pull causes the tides on Earth.”
contextual
“Scientists measured the gravitational waves produced by the collision of two distant black holes.”
complex
“The spacecraft utilized a gravitational assist from Jupiter to gain enough velocity to reach the outer edges of the solar system.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun; frequently pairs with 'pull', 'force', or 'field'.
Real-World Examples
Common in science writing
“Although dark matter cannot be seen directly, its gravitational effects can be detected throughout galaxies and across the wider cosmos.” “Their central supermassive black holes may then have become locked in a gravitational struggle that launched the lightest black hole toward the edge of the combined galaxy.” Etymology
From gravitation + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Collocations
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englishreference.com/q/gravitational