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 burst of activity came as Earth was hit by a complex wave of solar energy, delivering a one-two punch from multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) alongside a fast stream of solar wind from a coronal hole. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2026

Strong northern lights visible at the mid-latitudes still require a trigger like a larger solar event, such as a coronal mass ejection aimed squarely at Earth. —Stefanie Waldek, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Feb. 2026

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

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