dark matter
noun
: nonluminous matter not yet directly detected by astronomers that is hypothesized to exist to account for various observed gravitational effects
Examples of dark matter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Vera Rubin — who discovered that dark matter was dominant in the universe and initially received pushback — has cited Payne-Gaposchkin as an inspiration.
—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
With only a fraction of that data, astronomers have estimated the mass of the halo of dark matter engulfing our galaxy and identified thousands of trespassing stars, ingested from another galaxy 10 billion years ago.
—Katrina Miller, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
The galaxy has also been estimated to contain 10 times more dark matter than the Milky Way is believed to—material crucial for the stability of its fast-spinning disc.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Astronomers suggest dark matter—an unseen substance that takes up space but doesn’t interact with light—makes up 27 percent of the universe.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dark matter
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
With only a fraction of that data, astronomers have estimated the mass of the halo of dark matter engulfing our galaxy and identified thousands of trespassing stars, ingested from another galaxy 10 billion years ago.
—Katrina Miller, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
The galaxy has also been estimated to contain 10 times more dark matter than the Milky Way is believed to—material crucial for the stability of its fast-spinning disc.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Astronomers suggest dark matter—an unseen substance that takes up space but doesn’t interact with light—makes up 27 percent of the universe.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dark matter
Cite this Entry
“Dark matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dark%20matter. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share