dark energy

American  

[dahrk en-er-jee] / ˈdɑrk ˈɛn ər dʒi /

noun

1. a hypothetical form of energy whose negative pressure counteracts gravity and is assumed to be responsible for the universe expanding at an accelerating rate.

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dark energy Scientific  

1. A form of energy hypothesized to reside in the structure of space itself, responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe. Dark energy theoretically counterbalances the kinetic energy of the universe's expansion, entailing that that the universe has no inherent curvature, as astronomical observations currently suggest. Dark energy appears to account for 73 percent of all the energy and matter in the universe.

2. See also big bang

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dark energy Cultural  

1. An as yet unknown and unidentified form of energy that pervades the universe and produces a force that counteracts the gravitational attraction between galaxies.

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Discover More

Dark energy is thought to be responsible for the accelerating universe.

Etymology

Origin of dark energy

First recorded in 1995–2000

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dark energy

The new findings build on years of research into whether dark energy could have changed sign during the Universe's history.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2026

These findings do not yet establish that dark energy changes over time.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2026

Their analysis revealed a surprising scenario in which the effective density of dark energy was negative during the Universe's early history before eventually becoming positive.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2026

Importantly, neither the proposed dark energy reversal nor a recent slowdown in cosmic acceleration has been established as an observational fact.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2026

As though plunder of dark energy was not at the heart of our galaxy.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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