the Milky Way
noun
1
: a broad band of light that can be seen in the night sky and that is caused by the light of a very large number of faint stars
2
: the galaxy in which we live that contains the stars that make up the Milky Way
Examples of the Milky Way in a Sentence
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Though the region of the Milky Way called the Galactic Center is expected to be replete with pulsars, spotting them is challenging because of how extreme, turbulent, and densely packed the heart of our galaxy is.
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Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Feb. 2026
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
The 360-degree views of the lake and mountains from the summit are vast, with the Milky Way on full display overhead and the chance to see constellations only visible in the Southern Hemisphere, such as Crux and the Magellanic Clouds—two faraway galaxies visible with the naked eye.
—Megan Eaves, Outside, 20 Feb. 2026
Track the Milky Way from the shores of Uruguay, search for galaxies from the moorlands of England, or count shooting stars from the South rim of the Grand Canyon.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2026
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Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Feb. 2026
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
The 360-degree views of the lake and mountains from the summit are vast, with the Milky Way on full display overhead and the chance to see constellations only visible in the Southern Hemisphere, such as Crux and the Magellanic Clouds—two faraway galaxies visible with the naked eye.
—Megan Eaves, Outside, 20 Feb. 2026
Track the Milky Way from the shores of Uruguay, search for galaxies from the moorlands of England, or count shooting stars from the South rim of the Grand Canyon.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the Milky Way
Cite this Entry
“The Milky Way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20Milky%20Way. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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