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

This is a far more expensive and disruptive shift than the company’s failed pivot to the metaverse.

From Barron's

Unity looked set to be a pandemic-era hit on the back of exploding hype for the “metaverse,” but it was unable to sustain this momentum.

From Barron's

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

The company said earlier this year that it was shifting some resources away from the metaverse.

From Barron's

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