galactic

adjective

ga·​lac·​tic gə-ˈlak-tik How to pronounce galactic (audio)
Synonyms of galacticnext
1
: of or relating to a galaxy and especially the Milky Way galaxy
2
: huge
a galactic sum of money

Examples of galactic in a Sentence

a galactic serving of soda that would have been enough for three moviegoers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Sombrero Galaxy was imaged to magnificent effect by the Hubble Space Telescope — most recently to mark its 35th anniversary in space — which revealed its sweeping disk-like structure and pronounced dusty lanes shining beneath its glowing galactic core. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026 Initially, the star-formation rate will remain small and continue to decline ever so slightly, while isolated episodes of star-formation continue within our galactic plane. Big Think, 13 Mar. 2026 The new simulator reproduces galactic cosmic rays using ion accelerators, giving researchers a powerful tool to study radiation exposure in deep space. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026 The telltale sign of the sun’s galactic journey is its chemical composition, says Tokyo Metropolitan University astronomer Daisuke Taniguchi, a co-author on both of the studies. Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for galactic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin galacticus (taken as derivative of Galaxias "Milky Way"), borrowed from Greek galaktikós "milky," from galakt-, gála "milk" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at galaxy

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of galactic was in 1839

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Galactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galactic. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

galactic

adjective
ga·​lac·​tic gə-ˈlak-tik How to pronounce galactic (audio)
: of or relating to a galaxy

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