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
R. CowenExamples of coronal mass ejection in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Geomagnetic storms, which are caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun, can be strong enough to disrupt satellite orbits.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
The dazzling display is linked to two solar eruptions, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), that are now heading toward Earth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
The Sun’s magnetic field lines can be very twisted, and the solar wind and coronal mass ejections deform and drag them outward from the Sun.
—Samuel Badman, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
During solar maximum, eruptions such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) dominate.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coronal mass ejection
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.
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
The dazzling display is linked to two solar eruptions, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), that are now heading toward Earth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
The Sun’s magnetic field lines can be very twisted, and the solar wind and coronal mass ejections deform and drag them outward from the Sun.
—Samuel Badman, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
During solar maximum, eruptions such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) dominate.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coronal mass ejection
Cite this Entry
“Coronal mass ejection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coronal%20mass%20ejection. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share