gravitational wave
noun
: a disturbance in space-time in the form of a wave that propagates the gravitational field
Gravitational waves are a natural offshoot of the rubber-sheet construction of general relativity. Just as a massive object sitting on the fabric of spacetime creates a dimple, so moving or changing objects, under certain conditions, create wrinkles in the fabric. Those wrinkles, tiny distortions in spacetime, zoom away at the speed of light. Because these gravitational waves carry energy, anything emitting them will lose a tiny bit of its speed. 
Science
Science
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web His sponsorship of the gravitational wave project at NASA is a good example. Paul Smith-goodson, Forbes, 16 June 2022 Why would a gravitational wave permanently change space-time’s structure? Katie Mccormick, Quanta Magazine, 8 Dec. 2021 The astronomers made the discovery by combining gravitational wave data with data collected during a robotic sky survey. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Mar. 2022 In 2019, the LIGO/VIRGO collaboration picked up a gravitational wave signal from a black hole merger that proved to be one for the record books. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2022 In the case of a certain type of gravitational wave, the group found that unitary three-point functions are few and far between. Quanta Magazine, 10 Nov. 2021 In the last few years, however, gravitational wave astronomy has made great strides in detecting gravitational radiation rippling through spacetime at the speed of light. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2021 A year later, Europe’s Virgo gravitational wave detector in Italy joined the hunt and within days, the three detectors had spotted two neutron stars twirling together. Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, 29 June 2021 In the study, the researchers take a closer look at GW150914, the first gravitational wave signal detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in 2015. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 21 July 2021 See More
Paul Smith-goodson, Forbes, 16 June 2022 Why would a gravitational wave permanently change space-time’s structure? Katie Mccormick, Quanta Magazine, 8 Dec. 2021 The astronomers made the discovery by combining gravitational wave data with data collected during a robotic sky survey. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Mar. 2022 In 2019, the LIGO/VIRGO collaboration picked up a gravitational wave signal from a black hole merger that proved to be one for the record books. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2022 In the case of a certain type of gravitational wave, the group found that unitary three-point functions are few and far between. Quanta Magazine, 10 Nov. 2021 In the last few years, however, gravitational wave astronomy has made great strides in detecting gravitational radiation rippling through spacetime at the speed of light. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2021 A year later, Europe’s Virgo gravitational wave detector in Italy joined the hunt and within days, the three detectors had spotted two neutron stars twirling together. Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, 29 June 2021 In the study, the researchers take a closer look at GW150914, the first gravitational wave signal detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in 2015. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 21 July 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1906, in the meaning defined above