ScienceAugust 13, 2026
weightlessness
WAYT-les-nes
Definition
The state or condition of being free from the perceptible effects of gravity.
Etymology
The word is a 19th-century English compound of 'weight' (from Old English 'wiht') and the suffix '-less' (meaning without), combined with the abstract noun-forming suffix '-ness'.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the physical environment space tourists will experience while in orbit. Understanding weightlessness is critical to explaining the unique challenges and physical sensations of civilian space travel.
The Future of Space Tourism: Will Ordinary People Ever Travel Beyond Earth?
Read the full article ↗Vocal