steady state universe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic, Scientific, Historical
Quick answer
What does “steady state universe” mean?
A cosmological model proposing that the universe is eternal, has no beginning or end, and maintains a constant average density through the continuous creation of matter as it expands.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cosmological model proposing that the universe is eternal, has no beginning or end, and maintains a constant average density through the continuous creation of matter as it expands.
A now-discredited scientific theory, developed primarily by Fred Hoyle, Hermann Bondi, and Thomas Gold, that was a rival to the Big Bang theory. It posits a universe that is infinite in age and size, with its large-scale properties unchanging over time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties, strongly tied to the history of 20th-century science.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both BrE and AmE academic discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “steady state universe” in a Sentence
The steady state universe was proposed as an alternative to X.Y argued in favour of a steady state universe.Evidence from Z contradicted the steady state universe.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in history of science, cosmology, and astrophysics lectures to discuss obsolete theories and the nature of scientific progress.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used with precise cosmological meaning in historical or philosophical discussions of cosmology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “steady state universe”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “steady state universe”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “steady state universe”
- Using it to describe any stable system (incorrect).
- Capitalising it as a proper name (it is not typically capitalised).
- Confusing it with a 'static universe' (which does not expand).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it has been conclusively falsified by multiple lines of evidence, most notably the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is a predicted remnant of the Big Bang.
It was proposed in 1948 by astronomers Fred Hoyle, Hermann Bondi, and Thomas Gold.
It means the large-scale properties of the universe, like the average density of matter, do not change over time, even though the universe is expanding.
It is the foundational assumption of the steady state theory, stating that the universe is homogeneous and isotropic not only in space but also in time, meaning it looks roughly the same at all times.
A cosmological model proposing that the universe is eternal, has no beginning or end, and maintains a constant average density through the continuous creation of matter as it expands.
Steady state universe is usually academic, scientific, historical in register.
Steady state universe: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsted.i steɪt ˈjuː.nɪ.vɜːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsted.i steɪt ˈjuː.nə.vɝːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tap (creating new matter) filling a stretching rubber sheet (the expanding universe) so the pattern of dots (galaxies) stays the same — a STEADY STATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE UNIVERSE IS AN ETERNAL, SELF-RENEWING ENTITY (as opposed to a story with a beginning).
Practice
Quiz
What was a key feature of the steady state universe model?