relativity

[ rel-uh-tiv-i-tee ]

/ ˌrɛl əˈtɪv ɪ ti /

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noun

the state or fact of being relative.

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 observers moving 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 the relative 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.

dependence of a mental state or process upon the nature of the human mind: relativity of values; relativity of knowledge.

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Origin of relativity

First recorded in 1825–35; relative + -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM relativity

non·rel·a·tiv·i·ty, noun

Words nearby relativity

relativism, relativist, relativistic, relativistic mass, relativistic quantum mechanics, relativity, relativize, relator, relatum, relaunch, relax

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use relativity in a sentence

Special projects editor Elizabeth Quill explores the implications of Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which was considered shocking in the early 1900s.
Should corporations get access to our brains?|Nancy Shute|February 7, 2021|Science News
Einstein presented his general theory of relativity at the end of 1915 in a series of lectures in Berlin.
Einstein’s theory of general relativity unveiled a dynamic and bizarre cosmos|Elizabeth Quill|February 3, 2021|Science News
To which I answer that you forget the lessons of Gulliver’s Travels and the relativity of size.
Time Flows Toward Order - Issue 93: Forerunners|Julian Barbour|December 2, 2020|Nautilus
Besso never gave up on luring Einstein back to Machian relativity.
When Einstein Tilted at Windmills - Issue 93: Forerunners|Amanda Gefter|November 18, 2020|Nautilus

In 1907, Albert Einstein realized that his brand-new theory of relativity must render faster-than-light communication impossible.
Quantum Tunnels Show How Particles Can Break the Speed of Light|Natalie Wolchover|October 20, 2020|Quanta Magazine
More clumsily, fireworks stand in for the Big Bang and a potato and peas are invoked to explain relativity.
Why Can’t Movies Capture Genius?|Clive Irving|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For that reason, researchers have developed a framework to describe quantum theory in combination with general relativity.
Black Holes Exist. So Does Bad Science|Matthew R. Francis|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The equations of general relativity unambiguously predict event horizons forming if mass is sufficiently concentrated.
Black Holes Exist. So Does Bad Science|Matthew R. Francis|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bob Dylan makes the theory of relativity worth caring about at all: he is a seer.
Bob Dylan: Why We Can Never Know Him|Elizabeth Wurtzel|November 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
To doubt it sounds to biologists as absurd as denying relativity does to physicists.
Ask the Big Questions|Deepak Chopra, Leonard Mlodinow|October 26, 2011|DAILY BEAST
On Spencer's own theory of relativity a cause only exists in relation to an effect.
Theism or Atheism|Chapman Cohen
This, however, would be an error—the sort of error that the theory of relativity avoids.
The Analysis of Mind|Bertrand Russell
Why is not man satisfied with the relativity which so obstinately clings to his existence?
An Interpretation of Rudolf Eucken's Philosophy|W. Tudor Jones
At first glance it would appear as if, at last, one had here to do with a direct relativity between cost and volume of business.
Railroads: Rates and Regulations|William Z. Ripley
But this does not mean mere relativity as between directly competing commodities or places.
Railroads: Rates and Regulations|William Z. Ripley

British Dictionary definitions for relativity

relativity

/ (ˌrɛləˈtɪvɪtɪ) /

noun

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

philosophy dependence upon some variable factor such as the psychological, social, or environmental contextSee relativism

the state or quality of being relative

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for relativity

relativity

[ rĕl′ə-tĭv′ĭ-tē ]

Either of two theories in physics developed by Albert Einstein, General Relativity or Special Relativity. See Notes at Einstein gravity space-time.

Other words from relativity

relativistic adjective

Cultural definitions for relativity

relativity

A theory concerning time, space, and the motion of objects, proposed first in 1905 by Albert Einstein in his special theory of relativity.

The “special theory of relativity” is based on the principle of special relativity, which states that all observers moving at constant velocities with respect to each other should find the same laws of nature operating in their frames of reference. It follows from this principle that the speed of light would have to appear to be the same to every observer. The theory predicts that moving clocks will appear to run slower than stationary ones (see time dilation), that moving objects will appear shorter and heavier than stationary ones, and that energy and mass are equivalent (see E = mc2). There is abundant experimental confirmation of these predictions.

The general theory of relativity is the modern theory of gravitation, proposed in 1915, also by Albert Einstein. The central point of the theory is the principle of general relativity, which states that all observers, regardless of their state of motion, will see the same laws of physics operating in the universe. The most famous prediction of the theory is that light rays passing near the sun will be bent — a prediction that has been well verified.

notes for relativity

The special and general theories of relativity have had important implications for thought in general. They show that no frame of reference for observation of nature is more correct than any other.

notes for relativity

It is important to distinguish between the theory of relativity, in which the laws of nature are the same for all observers anywhere in the universe, and the philosophical doctrine of relativism, which holds that there are no absolute truths. The similarity in their names has been a source of confusion.

relativity

Origin of relativity

OTHER WORDS FROM relativity

Words nearby relativity

Words related to relativity

How to use relativity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for relativity

Scientific definitions for relativity

Other words from relativity

Cultural definitions for relativity

notes for relativity

notes for relativity