protostar

noun

pro·​to·​star ˈprō-tō-ˌstär How to pronounce protostar (audio)
: a cloud of gas and dust in space believed to develop into a star

Examples of protostar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The protostar itself sits in the rotating, dusty disk at the center of the image, where infrared radiation cannot escape because of the density of the dust and gas. Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024 The chemicals found around the protostars may mirror the early history of our solar system, allowing astronomers a way to look back at what was present when the sun and the planets that orbit it, including Earth, were forming. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Dense clumps within these clouds can collapse to form protostars. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Other outflows are also seen in this image, including one from the protostar in the top of the image, with its illuminated cavity walls. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 6 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for protostar 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protostar.' 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

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of protostar was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near protostar

Cite this Entry

“Protostar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protostar. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

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