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
Grillmair’s work had focused on uncovering the structure of the Milky Way, identifying faint stellar streams and substructures that make up the galactic halo surrounding our spiral galaxy, and helping reshape our understanding of how galaxies evolve, according to his website.
—
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
This elegant spiral galaxy, filled with stars, is about 392 million light-years away from Earth—some 4 percent of the distance of Euclid’s farthest targets—and is retreating at more than 5,000 miles per second.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 24 Dec. 2025
Since then, astronomers have observed all manner of lensing caused by all manner of bodies—perhaps none as visually striking as this image, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, of a foreground galaxy cluster lensing the light of a background spiral galaxy.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
About 50 years ago, astronomer Vera Rubin discovered a similar mystery in spiral galaxies.
—Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral 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.
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
This elegant spiral galaxy, filled with stars, is about 392 million light-years away from Earth—some 4 percent of the distance of Euclid’s farthest targets—and is retreating at more than 5,000 miles per second.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 24 Dec. 2025
Since then, astronomers have observed all manner of lensing caused by all manner of bodies—perhaps none as visually striking as this image, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, of a foreground galaxy cluster lensing the light of a background spiral galaxy.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
About 50 years ago, astronomer Vera Rubin discovered a similar mystery in spiral galaxies.
—Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral galaxy
Cite this Entry
“Spiral galaxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiral%20galaxy. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
