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 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 Attention has instead turned to small, red dwarf stars, or M-dwarfs, which are between 10% and 60% of the size of the Sun and less than 7% as bright. Bydaniel Clery, science.org, 20 June 2024 That was never going to be easy, because red dwarfs like TRAPPIST-1 tend to be tempestuous, erupting and flaring in ways that can blast away atmospheres and also confound the weak atmospheric signal JWST is trying to detect. Bydaniel Clery, science.org, 20 June 2024 For example, the habitable zone is closer to a smaller, cooler star (like a red dwarf) and farther from a larger, hotter star. David Faris, Newsweek, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for red dwarf 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'red dwarf.' 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

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 19 Sep. 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

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