general theory of relativity

noun

, Physics.

1. relativity2

general theory of relativity

noun

1. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of general theory of relativity¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The general theory of relativity, published by Albert Einstein over a century ago, predicted that black holes could have any mass.

From Science Daily

Here, the theory goes, all physical laws, including Einstein's general theory of relativity, no longer apply; the principle of causality is suspended.

From Science Daily

The general version of this connection was stated in the 1973 textbook on Einstein's general theory of relativity titled 'Gravitation' by Charles W. Misner, Kip S. Thorne and John Archibald Wheeler.

From Science Daily

As the universe expanded, gravity, as described by Einstein’s general theory of relativity, amplified those variations to create the huge variations we see today in the form of clusters and superclusters of galaxies.

From Scientific American

When Einstein proposed his general theory of relativity in 1915, among other tweaks, it modified the Newtonian understanding of gravity in cases of extreme acceleration—think of starships throttling up to approach the speed of light or objects plunging into black holes.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• relativity