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.R. Cowen
abbreviation CME
compare solar flare

Examples of coronal mass ejection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Northern Lights may be visible in the U.S. overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday as a coronal mass ejection travels towards Earth to cause a geomagnetic storm, according to the latest forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Solar flares are also often associated with coronal mass ejections, or CMEs. Kerry Breen june 18, CBS News, 18 June 2025 Unraveling the sun's magnetic architecture is key to understanding phenomena like solar flares, eruptions and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which drive space weather and can impact Earth. Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 6 June 2025 Scientists continue to learn from the probes, particularly how solar activity such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), manifests at great distances. Scott Neuman, NPR, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for coronal mass ejection

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coronal mass ejection was in 1974

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coronal mass ejection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coronal%20mass%20ejection. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!