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.
Some galaxies glow with sweeping spiral arms, while others are shaped by violent collisions, powerful black holes, and explosive bursts of star formation.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 20, 2026
Understanding why star formation has become less active as the universe ages is a major question in research on galaxy formation and evolution.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 2026
Neutral atomic hydrogen occupies an important intermediate position between the universe's larger gas supply and the molecular hydrogen that can ultimately fuel star formation.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 2026
The findings indicate that rapidly exhausting neutral hydrogen cannot by itself explain why star formation has declined so strongly.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 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
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