star formation
Americannoun
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a process that takes place within a molecular cloud, in which a dense region of gas and dust collapses and produces stars.
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the branch of astronomy that deals with all aspects and stages of the formation of stars.
Etymology
Origin of star formation
First recorded in 1850–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
About 4.5 billion years ago, the cosmic star formation rate was approximately 2.5 times higher than it is today.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 2026
This image from Nasa's Hubble telescope shows star formation.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
They found it resides inside a dusty, gas rich galaxy undergoing an intense burst of star formation, providing new clues about the environments where the earliest supermassive black holes grew.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026
Scientists think this burst of star formation may be fueled by gas flowing inward through the galaxy's distinctive oval-shaped structure.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 4, 2026
But I come to regret it, because of course he pulls us into orbit around the star formation that is Jupe-and-Coop.
From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
