universe

American  

[yoo-nuh-vurs] / ˈyu nəˌvɜrs /

noun

1. the universe. the totality of known or supposed objects and phenomena throughout space; the cosmos; macrocosm.

2. the whole world, especially with reference to humanity.

   a truth known throughout the universe.

3. a world or sphere in which something exists or prevails.

   his private universe.

4. in New Age philosophy and popular culture, a divine but nonpersonal being, consciousness, or field of energy believed to connect everything that is, allowing the interaction of the physical with the spiritual and thought with reality.

5. Also called universe of discourse.  Logic. the aggregate of all the objects, attributes, and relations assumed or implied in a given discussion.

6. Also called universal set.  Mathematics. the set of all elements under discussion for a given problem.

7. Statistics. the entire population under study.

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universe British  

/ ˈjuːnɪˌvɜːs /

noun

1. astronomy the aggregate of all existing matter, energy, and space

2. human beings collectively

3. a province or sphere of thought or activity

4. statistics another word for population

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universe Scientific  

/ yo̅o̅′nə-vûrs′ /

1. The totality of matter, energy, and space, including the Solar System, the galaxies, and the contents of the space between the galaxies. Current theories of cosmology suggest that the universe is constantly expanding.

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Other Word Forms

• subuniverse noun
• superuniverse noun

Etymology

Origin of universe

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Old French univers, from Latin ūniversum, noun use of neuter of ūniversus “all, entire,” literally, “turned into one,” from ūni- uni- + versus “turned” (past participle of vertere “to turn”)

Example Sentences

The fictional London investment bank was the epicenter of the show’s universe, the place where deals were made and trust was broken.

From Salon

"The isotopic signature indicates a very ancient continental, granitic source rock. This greatly reduces the universe of candidate areas," says Crósta.

From Science Daily

For decades, astronomers have known that the universe is expanding.

From Science Daily

We narrowed our universe to the 41 U.S. companies in the Global X FinTech ETF that are expected to generate positive 12-month earnings per share and that are covered by at least five analysts.

From MarketWatch

By analyzing its light, researchers were able to determine its place in cosmic history and narrow down when barred structures may have first formed in the universe.

From Science Daily