cosmic ray

noun

: a stream of atomic nuclei of extremely penetrating character that enter the earth's atmosphere from outer space at speeds approaching that of light

Examples of cosmic ray in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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First discovered in 1947, kaons aren’t commonly found in nature but can be created inside particle detectors, as well as by cosmic rays crashing into Earth’s atmosphere. Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024 This atmosphere, along with a huge magnet in the center of the Earth, helps protect us from the Sun’s harmful radiation, mostly solar wind and cosmic rays. Thomas Orlando, Discover Magazine, 9 Aug. 2024 Tracking lines arc through the expansive field, recalling cosmic rays shooting across a cloud chamber. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024 Our planet’s magnetic field shields Earth’s biosphere and atmosphere from barrages of high-energy cosmic rays and dangerous outbursts of solar particles and radiation. Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cosmic ray 

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cosmic ray was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near cosmic ray

Cite this Entry

“Cosmic ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmic%20ray. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cosmic ray

noun
: a stream of atomic nuclei of extremely penetrating character that enter the earth's atmosphere from outer space at speeds approaching that of light

More from Merriam-Webster on cosmic ray

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