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spiral galaxy

noun

: a galaxy exhibiting a central nucleus or barred structure from which extend curved arms of higher luminosity

called also spiral nebula

Examples of spiral galaxy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Located in the constellation Leo, spiral galaxy NGC 3370 has long been a favorite among astronomers. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025 In a spiral galaxy like ours, which has a flat disk filled with opaque, UV-absorbing dust, the effects would be essentially zero for a planet like Earth that was embedded in the disk’s outer suburbs. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2025 But the Outriggers quickly traced the signal to NGC4141, a spiral galaxy in Ursa Major. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2025 These spiral galaxies are in the process of colliding and will eventually merge completely. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for spiral galaxy

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spiral galaxy was in 1913

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Cite this Entry

“Spiral galaxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiral%20galaxy. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.

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