-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
specific gravity
noun
: the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of some substance (such as pure water) taken as a standard when both densities are obtained by weighing in air
Examples of specific gravity in a Sentence
determining the specific gravity of a mineral
Recent Examples on the Web
Water has a specific gravity of 1.0.
—Vince C Reyes, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2015
The Cycle Sync cartridge measures luteinizing hormone (LH), pH levels, and hydration levels via urine specific gravity — or how concentrated your urine is.
—Victoria Song, The Verge, 4 Jan. 2023
However, a different quantity, specific gravity, is often available online^1.
—Vince C Reyes, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2015
If your characters feel distant, remember their specific gravity on the earth.
—Yiyun Li, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022
Checking the level of the batteries and taking a specific gravity reading occasionally (1.265 is normal) and greasing the chassis is all that is necessary.
—B.c. George, Car and Driver, 27 June 2022
The correct specific gravity of kilograms per liter would have been around 0.8.
—Matt Parker, Wired, 23 Jan. 2020
The words began to exert their own specific gravity.
—Owen Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2018
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1660, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near specific gravity
Cite this Entry
“Specific gravity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specific%20gravity. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
specific gravity
noun
: the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of some other substance (as water) taken as a standard when both densities are obtained by weighing in air
Medical Definition
specific gravity
noun
: the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of some substance (as pure water) taken as a standard when both densities are obtained by weighing in air
More from Merriam-Webster on specific gravity
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about specific gravity
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share