specific gravity
noun Physics.
the ratio of the density of any substance to the density of some other substance taken as standard, water being the standard for liquids and solids, and hydrogen or air being the standard for gases.
Also called
relative density.
Origin of specific gravity
First recorded in 1660–70
OTHER WORDS FROM specific gravity
spe·cif·ic-grav·i·ty, adjectiveWords nearby specific gravity
Example sentences from the Web for specific gravity
The charge should be continued until five consecutive, specific-gravity readings are practically the same.
Cyclopedia of Telephony and Telegraphy, Vol. 2 |Kempster MillerSeparate samples are then weighed out for mortar briquettes, for soundness pats, and for the specific-gravity and fineness tests.
Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, vol. LXX, Dec. 1910 |Herbert M. Wilson
British Dictionary definitions for specific gravity
Medical definitions for specific gravity
specific gravity
n.
The ratio of the mass of a solid or liquid to the mass of an equal volume of distilled water at 4°C (39°F) or of a gas to an equal volume of air or hydrogen under prescribed conditions of temperature and pressure.
Scientific definitions for specific gravity
specific gravity
[ spĭ-sĭf′ĭk ]
The relative density of a solid or liquid, usually when measured at a temperature of 20°C, compared with the maximum density of water (at 4°C). For example, the specific gravity of carbon steel is 7.8, that of lead is 11.34, and that of pure gold is 19.32.