dark matter

noun

: nonluminous matter not yet directly detected by astronomers that is hypothesized to exist to account for various observed gravitational effects

Examples of dark matter in a Sentence

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This extreme depth shields the detectors from cosmic rays and other background radiation that could obscure potential dark matter signals. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026 But beyond that, scientists still don't know too much about dark matter. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026 If an axion experiment finds dark matter tomorrow, that would actually put our theory under pressure. Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026 As Froese mentions, the same could be said of dark matter or dark energy. Conor Feehly, Big Think, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dark matter

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dark matter was in 1933

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Cite this Entry

“Dark matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dark%20matter. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.

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