elliptical galaxy
noun
: a galaxy that has a generally elliptical shape and that has no apparent internal structure or spiral arms
called also elliptical
compare spiral galaxyExamples of elliptical galaxy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Milky Way has around 150 globular clusters in its halo, whereas a giant elliptical galaxy like Messier 87, at the heart of the Virgo Cluster, might have upward of 10,000.
—
Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
Located 67 million light-years away in the constellation Cancer, NGC 2775 somewhat resembles an elliptical galaxy with its large, featureless center region.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Nov. 2025
Each group or cluster of galaxies will merge into a single, massive, elliptical galaxy.
—Stephen Dikerby, The Conversation, 24 Nov. 2025
The light from a background galaxy, almost perfectly aligned with the elliptical galaxy and our line of sight, is lensed into an almost complete ring around the foreground galaxy.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical galaxy
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.
Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
Located 67 million light-years away in the constellation Cancer, NGC 2775 somewhat resembles an elliptical galaxy with its large, featureless center region.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Nov. 2025
Each group or cluster of galaxies will merge into a single, massive, elliptical galaxy.
—Stephen Dikerby, The Conversation, 24 Nov. 2025
The light from a background galaxy, almost perfectly aligned with the elliptical galaxy and our line of sight, is lensed into an almost complete ring around the foreground galaxy.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical galaxy
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical galaxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elliptical%20galaxy. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
