gravitational

American  

[grav-i-tey-shuh-nl] / ˌgræv ɪˈteɪ ʃə nl /

adjective

1. Physics. of or relating to the force of attraction between two masses.

   The gravitational effect of the moon causes the rise and fall of ocean tides.

2. of or relating to a strong movement or natural tendency toward something or someone.

   Their gravitational attraction to self-destructive behavior has been the subject of much study.

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gravitational British  

/ ˌɡrævɪˈteɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving gravitation

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Other Word Forms

• antigravitational adjective
• gravitationally adverb

Etymology

Origin of gravitational

First recorded in 1850–55; gravitation ( def. ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Because oil is so central to global manufacturing and transport, paying for it in dollars creates a gravitational pull that dollarizes trade, saving and reserves across the global economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

I live within the gravitational pull of New York City, and my property value is riding on the continued prosperity of these spreadsheet people, so let’s not pretend that we can spot cheap stocks ourselves.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

And yet, the crew was in the moon’s gravitational arena, where its gravity dominates Earth’s.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Orion's next milestone, set to take place on day five of the 10-day mission, is to enter the lunar sphere of influence, where the Moon's gravitational pull exceeds that of the Earth, according to NASA.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

The idea was to combine the spin-2 particle called the graviton, which carries the gravitational force, with certain other particles of spin Vi, 1, Vi, and 0.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking