Definition of wormhole

The term "wormhole" originates from the concept of a hypothetical shortcut through spacetime, allowing for faster-than-light travel. The idea was first proposed by physicist John Wheeler in the 1950s, and he used the term "wormhole" to describe it. The term is derived from the idea that the tunnel or tube-like structure connecting two distant points in spacetime resembles a worm burrowing through the ground. Wheeler's concept was heavily influenced by Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, which describes spacetime as a flexible fabric that can be warped and curved by massive objects. According to Einstein's theory, a wormhole could potentially connect two points in spacetime, allowing for travel between them without violating the laws of relativity. Since then, the concept of wormholes has been widely explored in science fiction and theoretical physics.