Meaning

(uncountable, physics) The four-dimensional continuum of the three spatial dimensions plus time..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable, physics) The four-dimensional continuum of the three spatial dimensions plus time.
2. (physics) An n-dimensional continuum consisting of dimensions of both space and time. Normally spacetime is considered as having 4 dimensions (x, y, z, t), but higher-dimensional spacetimes are often encountered in theoretical physics, e.g. the 5-dimensional spacetime of Kaluza-Klein theory or the 11 dimensions of spacetime in M-theory.
3. (relativity) A specific region of the universe with mathematically different properties than the surrounding spacetime. Synonymous with "metric" within the context of general relativity.

Example Sentences

An event is a point in spacetime, specified by the coordinates x, y, z, and t.

a Minkowski spacetime

a 5-dimensional spacetime

a Schwarzschild spacetime

a Reissner-Nordström spacetime

Word Forms

• spacetimes
• space-time
• time-space

Related Words

When Should You Use Spacetime?

Use spacetime when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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