cme

CME is an acronym with several distinct meanings across different fields, and the intended sense is usually inferred from context. Three common uses are in solar physics, finance, and medicine.

In solar physics, a coronal mass ejection (CME) is a large eruption of magnetized plasma from the Sun’s corona. CMEs release substantial amounts of solar material into interplanetary space and are often associated with solar flares. They propagate at a range of speeds, from hundreds to several thousand kilometers per second. When directed toward Earth, CMEs can interact with the magnetosphere and trigger geomagnetic storms, which may affect satellites, navigation and communications, and power grids. Spacecraft observe and track CMEs using space-based coronagraphs and solar observatories to forecast space weather.

In finance, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange refers to one of the world’s leading futures and options markets. It operates as part of CME Group, a consolidation of multiple exchanges formed through mergers. The exchange provides electronic trading on the Globex platform and offers contracts across agricultural products, energy, metals, and financial instruments, including widely traded equity index futures. The CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and other assets within CME Group constitute a major portion of the global derivatives market.

In medicine, Continuing Medical Education denotes ongoing educational activities for physicians and other clinicians to maintain competence and stay current with advances in care. CME activities result in credits that may be required for licensure or certification, and providers include professional societies, medical centers, and online platforms.

Because CME has multiple meanings, context is essential to determine which interpretation applies.