galaxy
[ gal-uh k-see ]
/ ˈgæl ək si /
noun, plural gal·ax·ies.
Astronomy.
- a large system of stars held together by mutual gravitation and isolated from similar systems by vast regions of space.
- (usually initial capital letter) Milky Way.
any large and brilliant or impressive assemblage of persons or things: a galaxy of opera stars.
Origin of galaxy
1350–1400; Middle English
galaxie, galaxias < Medieval Latin
galaxia,
galaxias, ultimately < Greek
galaxías kýklos the Milky Way; see
galacto-
Words nearby galaxy
Example sentences from the Web for galaxy
British Dictionary definitions for galaxy (1 of 2)
galaxy
/ (ˈɡæləksɪ) /
noun plural -axies
any of a vast number of star systems held together by gravitational attraction in an asymmetric shape (an irregular galaxy) or, more usually, in a symmetrical shape (a regular galaxy), which is either a spiral or an ellipse
Former names: island universe, extragalactic nebula Related adjective: galactic
a splendid gathering, esp one of famous or distinguished people
Word Origin for galaxy
C14 (in the sense: the Milky Way), from Medieval Latin
galaxia, from Latin
galaxias, from Greek, from
gala milk; related to Latin
lac milk
British Dictionary definitions for galaxy (2 of 2)
Galaxy
/ (ˈɡæləksɪ) /
noun
the Galaxy
the spiral galaxy, approximately 100 000 light years in diameter, that contains the solar system about three fifths of the distance from its centre
Also known as: the Milky Way System See also Magellanic Cloud
Scientific definitions for galaxy
galaxy
[ găl′ək-sē ]
Any of numerous large-scale collections of stars, gas, and dust that make up the visible universe. Galaxies are held together by the gravitational attraction of the material contained within them, and most are organized around a galactic nucleus into elliptical or spiral shapes, with a small percentage of galaxies classed as irregular in shape. A galaxy may range in diameter from some hundreds of light-years for the smallest dwarfs to hundreds of thousands of light-years for the largest ellipticals, and may contain from a few million to several trillion stars. Many galaxies are grouped into clusters, with the clusters themselves often grouped into larger superclusters. See more at active galaxy. See also elliptical galaxy irregular galaxy lenticular galaxy spiral galaxy.
the Galaxy. The Milky Way.
Cultural definitions for galaxy
notes for galaxy
A common form for galaxies is a bright center with spiral arms radiating outward.
notes for galaxy
The universe contains billions of galaxies.