universe

[yoo-nuh-vurs]

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.

universe

/ 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

universe

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.

Other Word Forms

• subuniverse noun
• superuniverse noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of universe¹

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”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of universe¹

C16: from French univers, from Latin ūniversum the whole world, from ūniversus all together, from _uni- + vertere to turn

Example Sentences

Black holes are among the most mysterious objects in the universe.

Read more on Space Scoop

Astronomers have used a worldwide array of telescopes to spot the smallest dark object ever identified in the universe.

Read more on Science Daily

Systems with not just a trillion possible states, but more states than there are atoms in the universe.

Read more on Science Daily

In an alternate universe, Herbert could be the quarterback in Miami, and Harbaugh could be his coach there.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Freud wrote that when his father died he felt “torn up by the roots,” and that is how my husband seems to me: tossing through the universe alone.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal