universe

noun

uni·​verse ˈyü-nə-ˌvərs How to pronounce universe (audio)
1
: the whole body of things and phenomena observed or postulated : cosmos: such as
a
: a systematic whole held to arise by and persist through the direct intervention of divine power
b
: the world of human experience
c(1)
: the entire celestial cosmos
(3)
: an aggregate of stars comparable to the Milky Way galaxy
2
: a distinct field or province of thought or reality that forms a closed system or self-inclusive and independent organization
3
4
: a set that contains all elements relevant to a particular discussion or problem
5
: a great number or quantity
a large enough universe of stocks … to choose fromG. B. Clairmont

Examples of universe in a Sentence

How many stars are there in the universe? It means more to me than anything else in the entire universe. She is convinced that parallel universes exist. He creates his own universe in his novels. New York City is the center of the publishing universe.
Recent Examples on the Web Truth Social is relatively small in the social media universe. Joe Rennison, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024 Music deserves its own real estate in the audio / video universe, and so do podcasts One way to look at the Google Graveyard is as a bunch of products Google launched that didn’t succeed and thus died. David Pierce, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024 Beyoncé and Barbie and Dune: Part Two and the Taylor Swift multimedia universe all convey the same lesson: Breaking through cultural oversaturation means going very big while also sweating the small stuff. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2024 Andy Cohen is weighing the realistic prospects of Bette Midler's debut in the Bravo universe. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024 However, before the 17-student squad — known as Team 8280 in the FIRST Robotics Competition universe — experienced its shining moment, there were some daunting hurdles that needed to be cleared. Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024 Screening the Large Cap universe of stocks for those with highest ratio of R&D spending to Revenue yields non-tech companies such as Deere (DE), Johnson & Johnson JNJ +0.3% (JNJ), and Schlumberger SLB +0.1% (SLB). Sean Hanlon, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024 Only within the last 20 years have astronomers discovered locations on the moon where conditions are ideal for the study of the early universe. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024 Courtroom video became programming for Court TV, one of the early signature networks of the then expanding multi-channel universe. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'universe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin universum, from neuter of universus entire, whole, from uni- + versus turned toward, from past participle of vertere to turn — more at worth

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of universe was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near universe

Cite this Entry

“Universe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/universe. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

universe

noun
uni·​verse ˈyü-nə-ˌvərs How to pronounce universe (audio)
1
: the whole body of things observed or assumed : cosmos
2
Etymology

from Latin universum "whole body of things that exist," from universus "whole, entire," literally, "turned into one," from uni- "one" and versus "turned toward," from vertere "to turn" — related to anniversary, converse, unicorn, versatile

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