binary star

noun

Definition of binary starnext
as in neutron star

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of binary star Granted, this series has moving parts beyond its binary stars. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2026 Situated some 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Corona Borealis is a binary star system poised for a rare thermonuclear display. — Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026 Using artificial neutral networks, his tool allows astronomers to distinguish true binary star systems from chance alignments in massive data sets like the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission. — Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025 The double stars of Albireo are considered a binary star system, just over 400 light-years away, with just one light-year equaling nearly 6 trillion miles. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for binary star
Recent Examples of Synonyms for binary star
  1. neutron star
  2. red star
  3. variable star
  4. white dwarf
  5. variable
  6. giant star
Noun
  • The same happens with a newborn neutron star but on a much grander scale; some pulsars have been measured to spin in excess of 700 times per second.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Answering that question would allow astrophysicists to address other mysteries, such as the precise threshold where a neutron star will collapse to form a black hole.
    — Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of neutron star
Noun
  • The Hollywood Historic Trust shared a photo of restoration progress on its social media, showing a blank red star set in an otherwise empty square.
    — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Soviet Union was an archetypal fragile superpower, its red star burning bright before its dramatic final implosion.
    — Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of red star
Noun
  • In May, for example, astronomers suggested that a lunar-mass PBH might have been spotted drifting through the halo of our Milky Way, but follow-up work suggested the sighting was a variable star, not a black hole.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This variable star is also located 250 light-years from Earth, but is sadly lost from view in the glare of the sun during the summer months.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of variable star
Noun
  • However, some stars collapse to form a white dwarf composed of oxygen, neon and magnesium.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The white dwarf emits radiation and produces a giant gas bubble—the lion’s face—that destroys dust in its path.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of white dwarf
Noun
  • Climate Central scientist Zachary Labe notes that forecasting the weather is complex and variable, which makes such predictions tricky.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • If a price may change because of materials, scope or another variable, say so early.
    — Levi King, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of variable
Noun
  • These small stars also burn cooler and slower than our Sun (let alone a giant star), which means that intelligent, technology-using life has more time to potentially evolve and start sending out radio messages.
    — Kiona N. Smith, Forbes.com, 20 Mar. 2026
  • However, in the nearby Andromeda galaxy, a giant star seems to have taken a very different path.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of giant star

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binary
binary star
binary stars
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Cite this Entry

“Binary star.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/binary%20star. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on binary star

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about binary star

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