supergiant

noun

su·​per·​gi·​ant ˈsü-pər-ˌjī-ənt How to pronounce supergiant (audio)
: something that is extremely large
especially : a star of very great intrinsic luminosity and enormous size
supergiant adjective

Examples of supergiant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Meanwhile, the week ends with an opportunity to observe a super-slim crescent moon, re-emerging from the sun's glare, alongside the red supergiant star Antares after sunset. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Betelgeuse Known as the celestial hunter Orion’s shoulder, the red supergiant Betelgeuse is one of the most recognizable stars in the sky. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024 Antares is a red supergiant star 12 times the sun's mass, one of the biggest stars. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 For example, in 2019 and 2020 the red supergiant star Betelgeuse blasted out immense volumes of dust that dropped its visibility by more than half and had astronomers scrambling to understand the physical processes behind the event. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for supergiant 

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of supergiant was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near supergiant

Cite this Entry

“Supergiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supergiant. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on supergiant

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!