spiral galaxy

noun

: a galaxy exhibiting a central nucleus or barred structure from which extend curved arms of higher luminosity

called also spiral nebula

Examples of spiral galaxy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Built from Hubble Space Telescope images, the full portrait offers an unprecedented view that could transform our understanding of how spiral galaxies form and evolve. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025 The anniversary image was stitched together from various Hubble observations and produced using new processing techniques which better highlight Messier 104's unique structure—sporting features of both elliptical and spiral galaxies. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025 Astrophysicists have long thought that large spiral galaxies like the Milky Way form over several billion years in a chaotic process and initially form irregular shapes. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025 Astronomers have discovered the most distant and thus earliest spiral galaxy ever seen, using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spiral galaxy

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spiral galaxy was in 1913

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Cite this Entry

“Spiral galaxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiral%20galaxy. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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