Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun uncountable, physics The four-dimensional continuum of the three spatial dimensions plus time.
  • noun physics An n-dimensional continuum consisting of dimensions of both space & 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.
  • noun physics A specific region of the universe with mathematically different properties than the surrounding spacetime. Synonymous with "metric" within the context of general relativity.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

space +‎ time

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Examples

  • My objection to punching a hole in spacetime is the same as my earlier objections.

    Objections to Kaku and Liu’s “How to Time Travel?” 2009

  • My objection to punching a hole in spacetime is the same as my earlier objections.

    Objections to Kaku and Liu’s “How to Time Travel?” 2009

  • My objection to punching a hole in spacetime is the same as my earlier objections.

    Objections to Kaku and Liu’s “How to Time Travel?” 2009

  • Compared to that, the tiny risk to humanity, the planet and solar system, the galaxy and all other things that currently exist in spacetime is more than worth it.

    A Very Cool, Very Big Machine 2008

  • Given that all biological processes apparently reduce to subatomic particles of matter interacting with each other and with waves of radiation in spacetime, is it fair to say that biology is essentially physics?

    Bits and Pieces of an RNA World 2007

  • Given that all biological processes apparently reduce to subatomic particles of matter interacting with each other and with waves of radiation in spacetime, is it fair to say that biology is essentially physics?

    Bits and Pieces of an RNA World 2007

  • This may be your best post yet; asking pointed questions to try and understand another's point-of-view. stunney: Given that all biological processes apparently reduce to subatomic particles of matter interacting with each other and with waves of radiation in spacetime, is it fair to say that biology is essentially physics?

    Bits and Pieces of an RNA World 2007

  • And the notion that our spacetime is a "virtual reality" is not in any way incompatible with Abrahamic religions.

    A Conundrum 2008

  • Only living beings in spacetime can be aware of left and right, up and down, the things that quarks do.

    Another Look 2009

  • Even a wormhole is not a “rip” in spacetime, it is just a topological feature in spacetime.

    Objections to Kaku and Liu’s “How to Time Travel?” 2009

Comments

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  • In physics, any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single construct called the spacetime continuum. Spacetime is usually interpreted with space being three-dimensional and time playing the role of the fourth dimension. (Wikipedia)

    May 29, 2008