relativity

noun

rel·​a·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌre-lə-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce relativity (audio)
plural relativities
1
a
: the quality or state of being relative
b
: something that is relative
2
: the state of being dependent for existence on or determined in nature, value, or quality by relation to something else
3
a
: a theory which is based on the two postulates (1) that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant and independent of the source or observer and (2) that the mathematical forms of the laws of physics are invariant in all inertial systems and which leads to the assertion of the equivalence of mass and energy and of change in mass, dimension, and time with increased velocity

called also special relativity, special theory of relativity

b
: an extension of the theory to include gravitation and related acceleration phenomena

called also general relativity, general theory of relativity

4

Examples of relativity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In a nod to Einstein’s theory of relativity, Adams bends time during the countdown so that five minutes are stretched out to almost fifteen. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 July 2023 Lean blended guilt and innocence with the relativity of social mores, and the spiritual excitement was blazing. Armond White, National Review, 31 Jan. 2024 His research in the field of theoretical physics has spanned decades and covered topics such as black holes, the velocity of light, dimensionality of space and relativity and quantum mechanics. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2023 Two different fields of physics—relativity and quantum theory—were coming together to explain the accelerated expansion of the universe. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2023 May tapped into his other life as an astrophysicist, riffing on Einstein’s theory of relativity and marveling at the plethora of lights in the audience, referencing them as stars. Brad Auerbach, SPIN, 15 Nov. 2023 So, even in relativity, causes always lead to effects. Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 7 July 2023 But what about the poster on how consciousness can be explained by relativity, which provides a way to unite first-person and third-person frames of reference? John Horgan, Scientific American, 26 June 2023 The twentieth century was defined by fundamental advances in physics: from Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity to the discovery of quantum mechanics, from the nuclear bomb to the transistor. Rob Toews, Forbes, 16 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'relativity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of relativity was circa 1834

Dictionary Entries Near relativity

Cite this Entry

“Relativity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relativity. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

relativity

noun
rel·​a·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌrel-ə-ˈtiv-ət-ē How to pronounce relativity (audio)
plural relativities
1
: the quality or state of being relative
especially : dependence on something else
2
a
: a theory in physics that considers mass and energy to be equal and that states that a moving object will experience changes in mass, size, and time which are related to its speed and are not noticeable except at speeds approaching that of light
b
: an extension of relativity theory to include gravity and its related acceleration effects
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