coronal mass ejection

noun

: a tremendous outburst of energy from the corona of the sun that can cause disruptions in the earth's geomagnetic field

As they had for the January eruption, the researchers relied on an armada of spacecraft to track the disturbance, known as a coronal mass ejection because it originates in the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona.

—Ron Cowen

—abbreviation CME compare solar flare

Examples of coronal mass ejection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The solar flares also can unleash multiple coronal mass ejections, which often are observed as geomagnetic activity that can trigger a beautiful display of auroras. —Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026

They can also, at times, be accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — vast plumes of solar plasma and magnetic field that can spark geomagnetic storms and impressive auroras if Earth-directed. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026

The solar activity resulted in several coronal mass ejections (CMEs). —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026

The United States on June 25 launched a new satellite expected to significantly improve forecasts of solar flares and coronal mass ejections — huge plasma bubbles that can crash into Earth, disrupting power grids and communications. —Sasirekha Subramanian, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for coronal mass ejection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction