The theory of relativity is Einstein's theory concerning space, time, and motion.
[technical]
relativity in British English
(ˌrɛləˈtɪvɪtɪ)
noun
1.
either of two theories developed by Albert Einstein, the special theory of relativity, which requires that the laws of physics shall be the same as seen by any two different observers in uniform relative motion, and the general theory of relativity which considers observers with relative acceleration and leads to a theory of gravitation
2. philosophy
dependence upon some variable factor such as the psychological, social, or environmental context
relativism
3.
the state or quality of being relative
relativity in American English
(ˌrɛləˈtɪvəti)
noun
1.
the condition, fact, or quality of being relative
2.
the close dependence of one occurrence, value, quality, etc. on another
3. Philosophy
a.
relativism
b.
relativity of knowledge
4. Physics
the fact, principle, or theory of the relative, rather than absolute, character of motion, velocity, mass, etc., and the interdependence of matter, time, and space: as developed and mathematically formulated by Albert Einstein and H. A. Lorentz in the special (or restricted) theory of relativity and by Einstein in the general theory of relativity (an extension covering the phenomena of gravitation), the theory of relativity includes the statements that: 1) there is no observable absolute motion, only relative motion 2) the velocityof light is constant and not dependent on the motion of the source 3) no energy can be transmitted at a velocity greater than that of light 4) the mass of a body in motion is a function of the energy content and varies with the velocity 5) matter and energy are equivalent 6) time is relative 7) space and time are interdependent and form a four-dimensional continuum 8) the presence of matter results in a “warping” of the space-time continuum, so that a body in motion passing nearby will describe a curve, this being the effect known as gravitation, as evidenced by the deflection of light rays passing through a gravitational field
relativity in American English
(ˌreləˈtɪvɪti)
noun
1.
the state or fact of being relative
2. Physics
a theory, formulated essentially by Albert Einstein, that all motion must be defined relative to a frame of reference and that space and time are relative, rather than absolute concepts: it consists of two principal parts. The theory dealing with uniform motion (special theory of relativity or special relativity) is based on the two postulates that physical laws have the same mathematical form when expressed in any inertial system, and the velocity of light is independent of the motion of its source and will have the same value when measured by observersmoving with constant velocity with respect to each other. Derivable from these postulates are the conclusions that there can be no motion at a speed greater than that of light in a vacuum, mass increases as velocity increases, mass and energy are equivalent, and time is dependent on therelative motion of an observer measuring the time. The theory dealing with gravity (general theory of relativity or general relativity) is based on the postulate that the local effects of a gravitational field and of acceleration of an inertial system are identical
3.
dependence of a mental state or process upon the nature of the human mind
relativity of values
relativity of knowledge
Word origin
[1825–35; relative + -ity]
Examples of 'relativity' in a sentence
relativity
Quantum mechanics tells us what small things do, general relativity tells us what big things do.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
General relativity cannot tell you how an atom will behave; quantum mechanics ignores gravity.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
One of the predictions of general relativity is that time passes more slowly as gravity increases.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He told about the equation he had tried to devise in his study of general relativity.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
General relativity predicted a modest number of different ways the universe might have arranged itself.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
So how did special relativity change this?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They feel they may be about to make sense of the huge complexities thrown up by the revolutions of quantum and relativity theory.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is based on two other theories: special relativity and quantum mechanics.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Special relativity won't help but general relativity can.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
General relativity explains big things well, but cannot explain small things.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Outside of the physics world, the theory of relativity has much more name recognition than quantum mechanics.
Christianity Today (2000)
While that certainty foundered with the discovery of quantum mechanics and relativity, the quest has gone on.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I have talked about street art and special relativity.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Chaos theory has been ranked with relativity and quantum mechanics as the third scientific revolution of the 20th century.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
General relativity is extremely democratic.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Despite having introduced these subtleties regarding the nature of time, general relativity fails to specify what the universe is like initially.
Barrow, John D. The Origin of the Universe (1995)
According to special relativity, energy and mass are interchangeable, and one can be converted to the other.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The schoolgirl scored 162 on the test, two points higher than the physics legend behind the general theory of relativity.
The Sun (2011)
Things have moved on, it seems, since his book triumph and his earlier efforts to reconcile theories of relativity and quantum mechanics.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Not an attempt to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity, you will be pleased to learn, but a review of the passes that football teams put together.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
relativity
British English: relativity NOUN
The theory of relativity is Einstein's theory concerning space, time, and motion.
American English: relativity
Brazilian Portuguese: relatividade
Chinese: 相对论
European Spanish: relatividad
French: relativité
German: Relativität
Italian: relatività
Japanese: 相対論
Korean: 상대성
European Portuguese: relatividade
Latin American Spanish: relatividad
All related terms of 'relativity'
special relativity
the theory proposed in 1905 by Einstein , which assumes that the laws of physics are equally valid in all nonaccelerated frames of reference and that the speed of electromagnetic radiation in free space has the same value for all inertial observers . It leads to the idea of a space-time continuum and the equivalence of mass and energy . In combination with quantum mechanics it forms the basis of the theory of elementary particles
cultural relativity
a concept that cultural norms and values derive their meaning within a specific social context
theory of relativity
Physics relativity (sense 2 )
relativity of knowledge
the theory that all knowledge is relative to the mind , or that things can be known only through their effects on the mind, and that consequently there can be no knowledge of reality as it is in itself
general theory of relativity
the theory of gravitation , developed by Einstein in 1916, extending the special theory of relativity to include acceleration and leading to the conclusion that gravitational forces are equivalent to forces caused by acceleration
special theory of relativity
the theory proposed in 1905 by Einstein , which assumes that the laws of physics are equally valid in all nonaccelerated frames of reference and that the speed of electromagnetic radiation in free space has the same value for all inertial observers . It leads to the idea of a space-time continuum and the equivalence of mass and energy. In combination with quantum mechanics it forms the basis of the theory of elementary particles