absolute magnitude

noun

: a measure of the intrinsic luminosity of a celestial body (such as a star) expressed as the apparent magnitude the body would have if viewed from a distance of 10 parsecs

Examples of absolute magnitude in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The really amazing thing about Katy Perry’s 110 million Twitter followers is not its absolute magnitude as much as the fact that the site’s entire monthly active user base is only about three times that size. Felix Salmon, WIRED, 5 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'absolute magnitude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absolute magnitude was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near absolute magnitude

Cite this Entry

“Absolute magnitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absolute%20magnitude. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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