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 programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'specific gravity.' Any 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of specific gravity was in 1660

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 18 Mar. 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

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