vacuum energy

American  

[vak-yoom en-er-jee, vak-yuhm] / ˈvæk jum ˌɛn ər dʒi, ˈvæk jəm /

noun

1. Physics. the energy present in empty space due to quantum fluctuations, associated with the instantaneous appearance and mutual annihilation of particle–antiparticle pairs and thought to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe.

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vacuum energy Scientific  

1. Background energy in a vacuum associated with constant vacuum fluctuations. Some astronomers believe vacuum energy to be the source of energy for the apparent acceleration of the expansion of the universe.

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Other Word Forms

• vacuum-energy
  adjective

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vacuum energy

That vacuum energy is associated with the cosmological constant, which means the constant should be extraordinarily large.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 19, 2026

If the vacuum energy derived from quantum theory is correct, then something must be stifling this energy's effects on the expansion of space.

From Scientific American ● Apr. 29, 2023

Quantum mechanics suggests that the vacuum of empty space should contain a type of energy known as vacuum energy.

From Science Magazine ● Feb. 26, 2023

"But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure."

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 14, 2018

Scientists sometimes also call it vacuum energy or, more exotically, quintessence.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

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