Cosmic-background-radiation
noun, Astronomy.
1.
electromagnetic radiation coming from every direction in the universe, considered the remnant of the big bang and corresponding to the black-body radiation of 3 K, the temperature to which the universe has cooled.
noun
microwave radiation in the universe, produced during the Big Bang and subsequently thinned and cooled as the universe expanded; also called background radiation
Usage Note
science
cosmic background radiation
Weak radio-frequency radiation traveling through outer space with equal intensity in every direction. It is thought to be residual radiation from a period shortly following the big bang, when the universe was very hot. Also called microwave background.
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