galaxy
noun
Newsweek
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The system of stars that includes our sun looks, in the night sky, like a broad band of light. We call this band the Milky Way. The idea of the whiteness of the Milky Way being similar to that of milk is much older than the English language, however. Galaxias, the Greek word for the Milky Way, was derived from the Greek gala, “milk.” English galaxy, derived from Greek galaxias, was not used until the 19th century as a generic term for other star systems as well as the one in which we live.
Examples of galaxy in a Sentence
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 June 2025
However, this design allows for more light transfer through the lens, helping keen astronomers to see distant planets and galaxies.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 6 June 2025
The way dark matter and stars interact influences how galaxies change over time.
—Stephen Clark – Jun 6, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
Galactic impact update For more than 100 years, a collision between the Milky Way galaxy and its largest neighbor, the Andromeda galaxy, was predicted to occur in about 4.5 billion years.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for galaxy
Cite this Entry
“Galaxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galaxy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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galaxy
noun
Middle English galaxie "the Milky Way," from Latin galaxias (same meaning), from Greek galaxias "Milky Way," from galakt-, gala "milk"
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