universe
noun
uni·verse
ˈyü-nə-ˌvərs 
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(1)
: the world of human experience
(2)
: an area of space or a world similar to the world of human experience
believes that alternate universes exist
c(1)
often Universe
: the entire celestial cosmos
The Milky Way was so vast that it was thought to contain the entire physical Universe.—
Paul Levesque
Paul Levesque
(2)
(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
The campus is its own little universe.
Their child is the center of their universe.
New York City has long been the center of the publishing universe.
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 from.—G. B. Clairmont
G. B. ClairmontExamples 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
Included in Guapõ’s TikTok universe are Pink Cardigan, Guapõ’s younger sibling, and Chirssy G, their mother.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2025
And there are more gameplay modifiers (known as skulls in the Halo universe) than ever before, which allow players to add some extra difficulty and chaos to their sessions.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Still, the football team ruled our athletic universe.
—Andrea Williams, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
While on tour, Role Model has created an entire universe on social media around one moment that takes place during every show on his tour.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for universe
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Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2025
And there are more gameplay modifiers (known as skulls in the Halo universe) than ever before, which allow players to add some extra difficulty and chaos to their sessions.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Still, the football team ruled our athletic universe.
—Andrea Williams, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
While on tour, Role Model has created an entire universe on social media around one moment that takes place during every show on his tour.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for universe
Cite this Entry
“Universe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/universe. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
universe
noun
uni·verse
ˈyü-nə-ˌvərs
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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