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 u·ni·verse of dis·course [yoo, -n, uh, -vurs , uh, v , dis, -kawrs]. Logic. the aggregate of all the objects, attributes, and relations assumed or implied in a given discussion.
6. Also called u·ni·ver·sal set [yoo, -n, uh, -vur-s, uh, l , 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

/ 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.

Other Words From

• sub·u·ni·verse noun
• su·per·u·ni·verse 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

At the same time, he blended the party into the same media universe from which he emerged.

From Washington Post

Carr says organic molecules “rain down basically everywhere” throughout the universe.

From Popular-Science

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied the sequestered league-wide universe — a unique cohort — of NFL teams to better understand how the virus spreads.

From Washington Post

Scientists haven’t figured out what causes these aperiodic signals yet, but they too may reflect an essential support structure for the universe in our heads.

From Quanta Magazine

We also scraped our universe of contracts in July 2020, so there may have been updates since then.

From ProPublica

The sequels will contain anything from the Expanded Universe.

From The Daily Beast

Nerd Cruise By Adam Rogers, Wired What 800 Nerds on a Cruise Ship Taught Me About Life, the Universe, and Snorkeling.

From The Daily Beast

A more recent phenomenon in the political universe is politicians of Hispanic heritage who are not fluent in Spanish.

From The Daily Beast

It's about the delicate fabric of the universe and how our fragile insides crumble when that fabric is torn.

From The Daily Beast

What should fans of the DC universe expect to see with the new Secret Six?

From The Daily Beast

Because the universe is governed by laws, and there is no credible instance on record of those laws being suspended.

From Project Gutenberg

The world may end, the heavens fall, yet loving voices would still find an echo in the ruins of the universe.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet will not the heart be bereaved of its vision; it still sees a smile of tenderness in the universe.

From Project Gutenberg

Then came the world's revolutioniser, steam, and no place in the universe has profited more by its introduction than this town.

From Project Gutenberg

As far above the interference of man as is the government of the external universe, is that designated the covenant, as ordained.

From Project Gutenberg