relativity

/ˈrɛləˌtɪvədi/

/rɛlɪˈtɪvɪti/

Other forms: relativities

Relativity is the word for how things only have importance in relation to other things. In physics, relativity refers to Einstein's theory that time and space are not absolute.

If you believe there are absolute, correct answers to everything, you probably don't like relativity, which is the opposite of absolutism. According to relativity, things aren't good or bad in themselves; they only have significance in relation to other things. In physics, relativity is about how even time and space aren't absolute, objective facts. For example, time partially depends on our perceptions of it: time is relative.

Definitions of relativity

1. noun

   the quality of being relative and having significance only in relation to something else
   type of:

   quality

   an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
2. noun

   (physics) the theory that space and time are relative concepts rather than absolute concepts
   synonyms: Einstein's theory of relativity, relativity theory, theory of relativity

   types:

   Einstein's general theory of relativity, general relativity, general relativity theory, general theory of relativity

   a generalization of special relativity to include gravity (based on the principle of equivalence)

   Einstein's special theory of relativity, special relativity, special relativity theory, special theory of relativity

   a physical theory of relativity based on the assumption that the speed of light in a vacuum is a constant and the assumption that the laws of physics are invariant in all inertial systems

   type of:

   scientific theory

   a theory that explains scientific observations