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light-year

noun

ˈlīt-ˌyir How to pronounce light-year (audio)
Definition of light-yearnext
as in world
a huge physical or conceptual distance my sister and I are close in age, but personality-wise, there are light-years between us

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of light-year The tiny particle originated in an enormous gamma-ray burst two billion light-years away from Earth. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026 Despite being separated by four million light-years, the gravitational pull inside NGC 7253 is strong enough that the two cosmic neighborhoods are on an inescapable collision course. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026 The park feels light-years away from the closest major airport, Midland (235 miles away), and this seclusion ensures the park’s night views stay dazzling. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2026 Millions of light-years away, but because of that black thing Brit had come riding up the hill at dusk. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for light-year
Recent Examples of Synonyms for light-year
  1. world
  2. galaxy
Noun
  • His bold, unique style was an immediate hit with ad agencies, publications, the corporate world and in pop culture.
    — BETH J. HARPAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Now he is represented by both, an art-world EGOT-level feat that only the late Richard Serra, Jeff Koons and Gerhard Richter achieved at certain points in their careers.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of world
Noun
  • Once there, Roman will study some of the biggest mysteries in astronomy, from dark energy to the formation of galaxies.
    — Thomas Fauchez, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The poll also found 37 percent believe at least some UFOs have been alien spacecraft visiting Earth from other planets or galaxies while another 13 percent do not have an opinion.
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of galaxy

Browse Nearby Words

lightweights
light-year
light-years
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Cite this Entry

“Light-year.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light-year. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on light-year

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about light-year

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