variable star

noun

: a star whose brightness changes usually in more or less regular periods

Examples of variable star in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Very faint variable stars changing their brightness and then fading back into obscurity, for example, might also explain either or both points. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Nov. 2026

Untangling the mystery Betelgeuse has long been known as a variable star, and recent breakthroughs are helping astronomers untangle its erratic behavior. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Observations based on nearby cosmic objects like Cepheid variable stars and supernovae suggest a faster expansion rate. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026

Bradley Schaefer, an astronomer at Louisiana State University, focuses on cataclysmic variable stars, objects that vary in brightness over time due to some type of major turmoil. — Liz Kruesi, Quanta Magazine, 2 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for variable star

• conservatoire
• retrobulbar
• abattoir
• alcazar
• autocar
• avatar
• belshazzar
• caviar
• caviare
• cinnabar
• commissar
• condylar

Kids Definition

variable star

noun

: a star whose brightness changes usually in more or less regular periods