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binary system
noun
: binary star
also
: a similar system containing bodies (such as black holes) other than stars
Examples of binary system in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The dead star—which is currently not bright enough to appear in the sky—is one of a pair that orbit each other in a binary system called T Coronae Borealis, or T CrB. Known as a white dwarf, this leftover stellar core is snatching material from its neighboring red giant.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024
The team observed the supernova colliding with material cast off by one or both stars in the binary system before the white dwarf star exploded; a shock wave was then sent into the pre-existing gas.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024
Even before its 2002 discovery, it was thought that millisecond pulsars get their speed from being in binary systems.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 6 Oct. 2023
That would mean that supermassive black holes form binary systems quite frequently and evolve very efficiently.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 June 2023
To cast a wider net, the team expanded their search to include binary systems with greater separation between the stars.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023
The pitches climb higher and grow purer as the music takes the listener closer to the binary system.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023
Under this rigid binary system, there is no capability to diverge from their programming in order to think creatively.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2023
Is there some new mechanism that kicks in at low masses that promotes Jupiter-class objects popping up in wide binary systems?
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'binary system.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1802, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near binary system
Cite this Entry
“Binary system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/binary%20system. Accessed 14 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
binary system
noun
: a system of two objects that revolve around each other
especially
: binary star
More from Merriam-Webster on binary system
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about binary system
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