gamma-ray burst

noun

gam·​ma-ray burst ˈga-mə-ˈrā- How to pronounce gamma-ray burst (audio)
variants or less commonly gamma ray burst
plural gamma-ray bursts also gamma ray bursts
: a brief, powerful jet of gamma rays detected deep in space that is generated by the collapse and explosion of a celestial object
… researchers … have discovered a gamma-ray burst (GRB) approximately 2.4 billion light-years away in the constellation Sagitta that ranks as the brightest ever observed.—Russ Nelson
Eventually, though, the neutron star slows down, probably because of magnetic braking. Then it implodes, touching off a gamma ray burst.—Govert Schilling
—abbreviation GRB

Examples of gamma-ray burst 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.
That's because gamma-ray bursts don't happen all of the time. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 7 July 2026 Researchers took advantage of rare, powerful gamma-ray bursts in distant galaxies. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 What makes Swift worth saving Swift launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 The satellite's primary objective, though, is to observe gamma-ray bursts – events triggered by the catastrophic deaths of massive stars and considered to be the most powerful types of explosions in the universe. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gamma-ray burst

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gamma-ray burst was in 1973

Rhymes for gamma-ray burst

See All Rhymes for gamma-ray burst

Browse Nearby Words

gamma-ray astronomy
gamma-ray burst
gammarid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gamma-ray burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamma-ray%20burst. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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