Definition

1. Noun:
   • The time covered by the physical formation and development of the universe: "Cosmic time" refers to the timescale of the universe as a whole, from its origin (e.g., the Big Bang) to its present state and potential future. It is a measure of time on the largest possible scale, describing the evolution of the cosmos.

Usage

• Noun:
  • Scientists use cosmic time to describe the age and stages of the universe.
  • The concept of cosmic time helps us understand when the first galaxies formed.

Advanced Usage

• "In cosmic time": on the scale of the universe's history.
  • Human civilization is a very recent event in cosmic time.
• "Measurements of cosmic time": referring to scientific calculations of the universe's age.
  • Measurements of cosmic time are derived from observations of the cosmic microwave background.

Variants and Related Words

• Cosmological time: (n) A synonym often used in scientific contexts to refer to the time coordinate used to describe the expanding universe.
• Cosmology: (n) The scientific study of the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe.

Synonyms

• Universal time (in a cosmological context).
• Cosmological timescale.

Related Phrases

• The arrow of cosmic time: Refers to the one-way direction or asymmetry of time in the universe's evolution.
  • The increase in entropy defines the arrow of cosmic time.

Noun

1. the time covered by the physical formation and development of the universe