general theory of relativity

noun phrase

: relativity sense 3b

Examples of general theory of relativity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity predicts that these spacetime pathways can form under intensely bending, rotating space—such as around a spinning black hole. — Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 12 June 2026 In his general theory of relativity, Einstein described space-time as a four-dimensional manifold, and gravity as that manifold’s curvature. — Quanta Magazine, 3 Nov. 2025 Albert Einstein first predicted there were ripples in spacetime produced by the most violent events in the universe in 1916 as a consequence of his general theory of relativity. — Nathaniel Janowitz, Wired News, 12 June 2026 And that those speeds exceed what a dark matter-rich cosmology operating under Einstein’s general theory of relativity would predict, where cluster collision speeds more typically cap out around 4000 km/s or so. — Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for general theory of relativity

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of general theory of relativity was in 1921

Rhymes for general theory of relativity

See All Rhymes for general theory of relativity

Browse Nearby Words

general term
general theory of relativity
generalty
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“General theory of relativity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general%20theory%20of%20relativity. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tacit

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All