universe

UK: /ˈjuːnivɜː^rs/ US: /ˈjunəˌvɝs/ ,(yo̅o̅′nə vûrs′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

u•ni•verse /ˈyunəˌvɜrs/   n. 

1. all the known or imagined objects, matter, and events throughout space;
   the cosmos: [uncountable; usually:the + ~]
   the secrets of the universe.
   [countable] Can you imagine a universe that is not infinite?
2. a world or sphere in which something exists:
   [countable] a universe of possibilities.

See -uni-, -vert-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

u•ni•verse  (yo̅o̅′nə vûrs′), n. 

1. the totality of known or supposed objects and phenomena throughout space;
   the cosmos;
   macrocosm.
2. the whole world, esp. with reference to humanity:
   a truth known throughout the universe.
3. a world or sphere in which something exists or prevails:
   his private universe.
4. Philosophy Also called u′niverse of dis′course. [Logic.] the aggregate of all the objects, attributes, and relations assumed or implied in a given discussion.
5. Mathematics Also called u′niver′sal set′. the set of all elements under discussion for a given problem.
6. Statistics the entire population under study.

• Latin ūniversum, noun, nominal use of neuter of ūniversus entire, all, literally, turned into one, equivalent. to ūni- uni- + versus (past participle of vertere to turn)
• Old French univers
• Middle English 1325–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

universe / ˈjuːnɪˌvɜːs/ noun

1. the aggregate of all existing matter, energy, and space
2. human beings collectively
3. a province or sphere of thought or activity
4. another word for population7

Etymology: 16th Century: from French univers, from Latin ūniversum the whole world, from ūniversus all together, from uni- + vertere to turn