red dwarf

noun

: a star having substantially lower surface temperature, intrinsic luminosity, mass, and size than the sun

Examples of red dwarf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
This galactic speed demon appears to have a red dwarf star smaller and dimmer than our sun. Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2024 The smallest red dwarfs, with masses barely bigger than a tenth of the mass of the Sun, can burn for trillions of years. Paul Sutter, Ars Technica, 16 Apr. 2024 Too Hot For Life Barnard’s star is a red dwarf star, a low-mass, cool star that comprises about 70% of all the stars in the Milky Way. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 Orbiting a red dwarf star, which typically has a longer lifespan than larger stars like our Sun, Kepler-186f might benefit from stable conditions for billions of years, giving life more time to potentially develop. Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for red dwarf 

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of red dwarf was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near red dwarf

Cite this Entry

“Red dwarf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red%20dwarf. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

red dwarf

noun
: a star having much lower surface temperature, brightness, mass, and size than the sun

More from Merriam-Webster on red dwarf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!