metaverse

noun

meta·​verse ˈme-tə-ˌvərs 

plural metaverses

1

computing : a persistent virtual (see virtual sense 2) environment that allows access to and interoperability of multiple individual virtual realities

To its proponents, the metaverse is the natural evolution of the internet. They envisage a sprawling network of interconnected virtual worlds for such diverse activities as gaming, watching live entertainment, … and collaborating on design projects.

—Edd Gent

also : any of the individual virtual environments that make up a metaverse

Metaverses are immersive three-dimensional virtual worlds in which people interact as avatars with each other and with software agents, using the metaphor of the real world but without its physical limitations.

—Alanah Davis et al.

2

cosmology : the hypothetical combination of all co-existing or sequentially existing universes compare multiverse

Examples of metaverse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nonetheless, Wall Street analysts didn’t seem overly concerned with the losses, as Meta has indicated a switch in focus away from its metaverse and virtual reality businesses and towards growing its artificial intelligence business. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026

Moreover, Zuckerberg’s dual-class share structure enabled the metaverse disaster and now enables unlimited AI spending without shareholder recourse, wrote The Guardian. —Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

The layoffs hit more than 1,000 employees and focused heavily on those who were working on the metaverse, digital spaces where people socialize, work, learn and pursue other online activities. —Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026

Why is Meta shifting focus from the metaverse? —Noe Padilla, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

meta- + -verse (in universe)

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for metaverse

• reimburse
• universe
• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• diverse
• immerse
• inverse
• obverse
• perverse

Kids Definition

metaverse

noun

meta·​verse ˈmet-ə-ˌvərs 

1

: a persistent virtual environment that allows access to and interaction between multiple individual virtual realities

also : any of the individual virtual environments that make up a metaverse

2

: the hypothetical combination of all co-existing or sequentially existing universes