What does gravimetry mean?
Gravimetry is the scientific measurement of weight, mass, or gravitational force by means of gravitational attraction. In its broadest sense, it belongs to metrology, the science of measurement; in geophysics and surveying, the term more specifically refers to measuring the strength and spatial variations of a gravitational field, especially Earth's. Sensitive gravimeters can detect tiny changes in gravity, and careful surveys can reveal subsurface density variations that help scientists investigate geological structures, groundwater, or the distribution of mass. The word is chiefly formal and technical, so it is more common in research and surveying contexts than in everyday speech. Despite its specialized use, gravimetry shows how a sensitive measurement of a physical pull can support major work in physics, geology, geodesy, and the study of changes affecting Earth. Field gravimetry focuses on variation across an area rather than simply determining the weight of an object.
nounThe science or practice of measuring weight, mass, or gravitational force by means of gravitational attraction. In geophysics and surveying, it specifically refers to measuring variations in the Earth's gravitational field.
- The measurement of weight, mass, or gravitational force by means of gravitational attraction.
- The geophysical measurement of variations in Earth's gravitational field, especially for surveying geological structures and subsurface mass distributions.
"The team used satellite gravimetry to map variations in Earth's gravity field."
"The team used satellite gravimetry to map variations in Earth's gravity field."
"Repeated gravimetry at the site helped geologists identify changes in subsurface density."
The plural is uncommon and usually refers to separate acts, measurements, or surveys of gravimetry.
"The two gravimetries produced slightly different estimates of the local gravity field."
Gravimetry turns tiny changes in Earth's pull into clues about what lies beneath the surface.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of gravimetry
The word is built from Latin gravitas, meaning “weight” or “heaviness” and associated with gravis, “heavy,” together with the Greek-derived suffix -metry, meaning “measure” and related to Greek metron, “measure.” Gravimetry developed as a specialized scientific term for the measurement of weight and gravitational force. Its related English forms include gravimeter, gravitate, and gravitational.
Related word forms
How gravimetry is actually used
Gravimetry is primarily formal and technical. It is especially associated with metrology, geophysics, geodesy, and geodetic surveying rather than everyday speech.
Easily confused with gravimetry
Gravimetry is the science or practice of measuring gravitational force, whereas a gravimeter is the instrument used to carry out that measurement.