universe

noun

uni·verse | \ ˈyü-nə-ˌvərs

Definition of universe

1 : the whole body of things and phenomena observed or postulated : cosmos: such as

a : a systematic whole held to arise by and persist through the direct intervention of divine power

b : the world of human experience

c(1) : the entire celestial cosmos

(2) : milky way galaxy

(3) : an aggregate of stars comparable to the Milky Way galaxy

2 : a distinct field or province of thought or reality that forms a closed system or self-inclusive and independent organization

3 : population sense 4

4 : a set that contains all elements relevant to a particular discussion or problem

5 : a great number or quantity a large enough universe of stocks … to choose from —G. B. Clairmont

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Examples of universe in a Sentence

How many stars are there in the universe? It means more to me than anything else in the entire universe. She is convinced that parallel universes exist. He creates his own universe in his novels. New York City is the center of the publishing universe.

Recent Examples on the Web

If the creator of the universe is supernatural—outside of space and time and nature's laws—then by definition, no natural science can discover God through any measurements made by natural instruments. — Michael Shermer, Scientific American, "Will Science Ever Solve the Mysteries of Consciousness, Free Will and God?," 13 July 2018 In this case, the neutrino led like an arrow back to one of the universe’s most violent features, an enormous particle-firing galaxy called a blazar. — Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Blazing a trail: UW professor's dream leads to breakthrough in identifying origin of cosmic rays," 12 July 2018 Michael Shannon, playing the brothers’ mysterious rodeo clown father, intones a voice-over about hustling, kicking up a ruckus and the cosmic spirituality of the universe. — Katie Walsh, latimes.com, "Review: Lou Taylor Pucci enlivens wild and wooly 'Poor Boy'," 12 July 2018 Swiftly, scores of scientists began pointing their telescopes in that direction, staring at the right region of the universe in every wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum. — Author: Sarah Kaplan, Anchorage Daily News, "In a cosmic first, scientists detect ‘ghost particles’ from a distant galaxy," 12 July 2018 Love her because doing so fills you with aliveness and abundance and the reverberations of the universe. — Anna Pulley, RedEye Chicago, "Ask Anna: How can I help someone who's scared to fall in love?," 9 July 2018 Its name, like the lord of the universe, begins with the letter G. What is God? — Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, "The Death of the Public Square," 6 July 2018 Far from detritus, that dust plays a crucial role in the continued growth and evolution of the universe by providing the raw materials for future stars. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Milky Way Is Full of Potentially Toxic "Space Grease"," 28 June 2018 Two-and-a-half millennia before Russell, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus drew attention to the inherent dynamism of the universe. — Lance Morrow, WSJ, "Did an Ancient Greek Anticipate Trump?," 22 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'universe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.