gravitation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a figurative movement toward some attraction

   the gravitation of the middle class to the suburbs

2. 2
   noun

   movement downward resulting from gravitational attraction

   irrigation by gravitation rather than by pumps

3. 3
   noun

   (physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe

4. 4
   noun

   The fundamental force of attraction which exists between all matter in the universe that tends to draw bodies towards each other, due to matter causing the curvature of spacetime. It is the weakest of the four fundamental interactions, and possesses a gauge boson known as the graviton.

Etymology

Borrowed from New Latin gravitātiō, from gravitāt-, past participial stem of gravitō (“to gravitate”), + -tiō. By surface analysis, gravitate + -ion.