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starburst
[ stahr-burst ]
/ ˈstɑrˌbɜrst /
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noun
a pattern of lines or rays radiating from a central point.
Astronomy. an intense and sudden episode of star formation in a galaxy.
Photography. a camera lens attachment that produces star shapes of reflected light.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Words nearby starburst
star, star anise, star apple, Stara Zagora, starboard, starburst, Star Carr, starch, Star Chamber, star chart, starch blocker
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use starburst in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for starburst
starburst
/ (ˈstɑːˌbɜːst) /
noun
a pattern of rays or lines radiating from a light source
photog a lens attachment which produces a starburst effect
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for starburst
starburst
[ stär′bûrst′ ]
The rapid formation of large numbers of new stars in a galaxy at a rate high enough to alter the structure of the galaxy significantly. Starburst galaxies, which are very luminous, form stars at rates that are between tens and hundreds of times faster than those of ordinary galaxies. Initial star formation is believed to be brought on by violent events such as collisions, or near collisions, with other galaxies, in which shockwaves cause the gases in the interstellar medium to collapse into protostars. The resulting stars are generally massive and short-lived. These stars become supernovae that create further shock waves, triggering yet more star formation.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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