metaverse

American  

[met-uh-vurs] / ˈmɛt əˌvɜrs /

noun

Digital Technology.

1. (in science fiction) a shared, realistic, and immersive computer simulation of the real world or other possible worlds, in which people participate as digital avatars.

2. a theoretical or emergent networked online space with digitally persistent environments that people inhabit, as avatars, for synchronous interactions and experiences, accessing the shared virtual space through virtual reality, augmented reality, game consoles, mobile devices, or conventional computers.

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metaverse British  

/ ˈmɛtəˌvɜːs /

noun

1. a 3D virtual world, esp in an online role-playing game

2. the universe as portrayed in a given work of fiction

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Etymology

Origin of metaverse

From meta- ( def. ) + (uni)verse ( def. ); coined by U.S. author Neal Stephenson (born 1959) in his cyberpunk novel Snow Crash (1992)

Example Sentences

In recent months, Meta has been shuttering its metaverse initiatives that were under its Reality Labs division, instead concentrating resources on more mainstream AI.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Chief technology officer Andrew Bosworth will oversee the company’s “AI For Work” initiatives as its focus shifts away from the metaverse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

It’s doubtful AI will flop as spectacularly as the metaverse did, if only because so many companies, universities, and governments are so vested in its success.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

After pushing billions of dollars into the metaverse, Meta has now found overwhelming demand for its Ray-Ban display glasses, which allow users to take photos, stream content, and talk to an A.I. assistant.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

Already this year, Meta has laid off several hundred workers mainly in its Reality Labs division, a part of the company that focuses on its "metaverse" ambitions, hardware products and AI initiatives.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026