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
Like Rudolph, the 1974 special The Year Without a Santa Claus folds new characters into Rankin/Bass' Christmas universe while also telling an entirely new story.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
As part of a pep talk ahead of an important pitch in Luxembourg, Leslie — who in the Patriot universe wrote a seminal piping textbook called The Integral Principles of the Structural Dynamics of Flow — gathers his team around him.
—Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Xicoia is really an extension into the AI universe and AI world.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—David M. Ewalt, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for universe
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Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
As part of a pep talk ahead of an important pitch in Luxembourg, Leslie — who in the Patriot universe wrote a seminal piping textbook called The Integral Principles of the Structural Dynamics of Flow — gathers his team around him.
—Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Xicoia is really an extension into the AI universe and AI world.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—David M. Ewalt, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 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 12 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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