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cosmic ray
noun
: a stream of atomic nuclei of extremely penetrating character that enter the earth's atmosphere from outer space at speeds approaching that of light
Examples of cosmic ray in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But galactic cosmic rays move through the body in a straight line, like a track.
—Georgina Torbet, The Verge, 16 Aug. 2024
Such places could serve as a natural shelter for astronauts, protecting them from cosmic rays and solar radiation as well as from micrometeorite strikes.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 16 July 2024
One man who was going around with a Geiger counter said that even the air around Giant Rock was jumping with cosmic rays of leftover clouds from the Nevada atom blast, or backwash from space ships.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2024
Inside the heliosphere, space is dominated by particles of the solar wind, while outside of it, cosmic rays reign.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cosmic ray
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cosmic ray.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1925, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near cosmic ray
Cite this Entry
“Cosmic ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmic%20ray. Accessed 8 Sep. 2024.
Kids Definition
cosmic ray
noun
: a stream of atomic nuclei of extremely penetrating character that enter the earth's atmosphere from outer space at speeds approaching that of light
More from Merriam-Webster on cosmic ray
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cosmic ray
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