Supernova

Origin

super- + nova

Full definition of supernova

Noun

1. (astronomy) A star which explodes, increasing its brightness to typically a billion times that of our sun, though attenuated by the great distance from our sun. Some leave only debris (Type I); others fade to invisibility as neutron stars (Type II).

Derived terms

• supernova remnant

Related terms

• nova
• dwarf nova
• hypernova
• red nova
• unnova