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red dwarf
noun
: a star having substantially lower surface temperature, intrinsic luminosity, mass, and size than the sun
Examples of red dwarf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Likely prevalent on Earth well before the advent of plant-type photosynthesis, such bacteria could be primed to thrive on planets that circle cooler red dwarf stars – the most common type in our galaxy.
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Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
However, many of the thousands of exoplanets scientists have identified so far orbit red dwarfs, which makes their presence likely; planets orbiting red dwarfs have a higher chance of being inhabitable, according to NASA.
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Jacopo Prisco, CNN, 13 June 2024
Research from 2013 suggested that as many as 4.5 billion potentially habitable planets may orbit around red dwarfs in our galaxy, but evidence to support this has been scant to non-existent.
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George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 23 May 2024
And since the red dwarf is still hot, there will eventually be a spark that triggers a runaway nuclear fusion reaction.
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Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 21 May 2024
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'red dwarf.' 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
1926, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near red dwarf
Cite this Entry
“Red dwarf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red%20dwarf. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Kids Definition
red dwarf
noun
: a star having much lower surface temperature, brightness, mass, and size than the sun
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