Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Milky Way

noun

Definition of Milky Way

1 : a broad luminous irregular band of light that stretches completely around the celestial sphere and is caused by the light of myriads of faint stars
2 : milky way galaxy

See Milky Way defined for English-language learners

See Milky Way defined for kids

First Known Use of milky way

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

MILKY WAY Defined for Kids

Milky Way

noun

Definition of Milky Way for Students

1 : a broad band of light that stretches across the sky and is caused by the light of a very great number of faint stars
2 : milky way galaxy

Learn More about milky way

  1. See words that rhyme with Milky Way Spanish Central: Translation of Milky Way Nglish: Translation of Milky Way for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of Milky Way for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up Milky Way? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

jabberwocky

play

meaningless speech or writing

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  2. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  3. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  4. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

  5. suborn 'to induce to commit perjury'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Milky Way

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games