often attributive
1
a
: a natural luminous body visible in the sky especially at night
b
: a self-luminous gaseous spheroidal celestial body of great mass which produces energy by means of nuclear fusion reactions
2
a(1)
: a planet or a configuration of the planets that is held in astrology to influence one's destiny or fortune
—usually used in plural
(2)
: a waxing or waning fortune or fame
her star was rising
b
obsolete
: destiny
3
4
: something resembling a star
was hit on the head and saw stars
5
a
: the principal member of a theatrical or operatic company who usually plays the chief roles
b
: a highly publicized theatrical or movie performer
c
: an outstandingly talented performer
a track star
d
: a person who is preeminent in a particular field
starred; starring; stars
1
a
intransitive
: to play the most prominent or important role in a movie, play, etc.
an actor currently starring in a hit Broadway show
She had a starring role in his latest film.
(figurative) Tequila and blood oranges star in this Margarita, which gets a spicy kick from homemade jalapeño syrup.—
Natalie Migliarini
Natalie Migliarini
b
transitive
: to feature (a performer) in the most prominent or important role
a movie that stars a famous stage personality
2
intransitive
: to perform outstandingly
In the fall of 1925, Elkins starred on the gridiron …—Bil Gilbert
Bil Gilbert[Alan] Trammell, who starred for the Tigers at shortstop during the glory days of the 1980s …—Jeff Bradley
Jeff Bradley3
a
: to mark with a star as being superior or preeminent in some way
a monument starred in the guidebook
a starred review
b
: to mark with an asterisk
4
transitive
: to sprinkle or adorn with or as if with stars
… meadows starred with buttercups and daisies.—Kenneth Roberts
Kenneth Roberts1
: of, relating to, or being a star
received star billing
2
: of outstanding excellence : preeminent
a star athlete
Examples of star in a Sentence
Noun
They gazed up at the stars.
There are billions of stars in the universe.
I'm glad we didn't use the tent. It's so much nicer to sleep outside under the stars.
The restaurant was awarded four stars for excellence.
Critics give the movie three stars.
Verb
The new television series stars a famous movie actress.
a concert starring some of the biggest names in the business
He starred in both baseball and football when he was in college.
She starred for the basketball team last year.
This restaurant is starred in the guidebook.
Adjective
looking for star actors to play the leads
Recent Examples on the Web
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Steel previously represented rap star Young Thug during his RICO trial.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Leading the nominations for Broadway plays — which also faced stiff competition, with 21 eligible titles — were the Sadie Sink–starring John Proctor Is the Villain and The Hills of California, which each received seven nominations.
—EW.com, 1 May 2025
Chris Spargo, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Fast evaluation If Hunter lives up to the hype of a star two-way player for most of a decade, the trade compensation will likely be an afterthought.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for star
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.
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Noun
Pirates star Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run double to put the team up 4-3 in the bottom of the inning when players from his team frantically tried to alert umpires and security the fan was on the warning track.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Steel previously represented rap star Young Thug during his RICO trial.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Verb
Galitzine most recently starred opposite Anne Hathaway in Amazon’s hit The Idea of You, and in the streamer’s Red, White & Royal Blue alongside Taylor Zakhar Perez and Uma Thurman.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Leading the nominations for Broadway plays — which also faced stiff competition, with 21 eligible titles — were the Sadie Sink–starring John Proctor Is the Villain and The Hills of California, which each received seven nominations.
—EW.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
Now 6, McCullough's son will testify during the trial and could prove to be the star witness for prosecutors.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Fast evaluation If Hunter lives up to the hype of a star two-way player for most of a decade, the trade compensation will likely be an afterthought.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for star
Cite this Entry
“Star.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/star. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
star
1 of 3 noun1
a
: a natural body visible in the sky especially at night that gives off light or shines by reflection
b
: a ball-shaped gaseous celestial body (as the sun) of great mass that shines by its own light
2
: a planet or an arrangement of the planets that is believed in astrology to influence one's life
—usually used in plural
3
: a figure or thing (as an asterisk or badge) with five or more points that represents or resembles a star
4
a
: the principal member of a theater or opera company
b
: a very talented or popular performer
football stars
TV stars
star
2 of 3 verb
starred; starring
1
: to sprinkle or adorn with stars
2
a
: to mark with a star as being superior
b
: to mark with an asterisk
3
: to present in the role of a star
4
: to play the most important role
will produce and star in a new play
5
: to perform outstandingly
starred at shortstop in the series
star
3 of 3 adjective1
: of, relating to, or being a star
2
: being of outstanding excellence : preeminent
star athlete
our star trumpeter
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