universe

noun

uni·​verse ˈyü-nə-ˌvərs 

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

Synonyms

• cosmos
• creation
• macrocosm
• nature
• world

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

Just for fun, The Athletic has imagined a parallel universe where that is the case. —Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025

The star of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, he will next be seen in Len Weisman’s John Wick universe movie Ballerina and is repped by CAA, Linden Entertainment and Jackoway Austen. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025

The speculation about a potential Alien and Predator crossover comes from the trailer's reveal that Fanning's Thia is a synthetic, the Alien universe's term for its android characters. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Just one month after two popular FBI spinoffs were canceled by CBS, the network is ordering a new offshoot set in the FBI universe called CIA. —Liza Esquibias, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin universum, from neuter of universus entire, whole, from uni- + versus turned toward, from past participle of vertere to turn — more at worth

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing universe

• center of someone's universe
• island universe
• the universe
• universe of discourse

Rhymes for universe

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

Kids Definition

universe

noun

uni·​verse ˈyü-nə-ˌvərs 

1

: the whole body of things observed or assumed : cosmos

2

: universal set

Etymology

from Latin universum "whole body of things that exist," from universus "whole, entire," literally, "turned into one," from uni- "one" and versus "turned toward," from vertere "to turn" — related to anniversary, converse, unicorn, versatile