/ ˈgrævəti; NAmE / noun [ U ]
1.
( abbr. g ) the force that attracts objects in space towards each other, and that on the earth pulls them towards the centre of the planet, so that things fall to the ground when they are dropped :
Newton's law of gravity
—see also centre of gravity
2.
( formal ) extreme importance and a cause for worry
SYN seriousness :
I don't think you realise the gravity of the situation.
Punishment varies according to the gravity of the offence.
3.
( formal ) serious behaviour, speech or appearance :
They were asked to behave with the gravity that was appropriate in a court of law.
—see also grave (I)
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent. (in sense 2): from Old French , or from Latin gravitas weight, seriousness, from gravis heavy. Sense 1 dates from the 17th cent.