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
  • Such a cloud is typically linked to an eruption of heavy elements—those created during a neutron star collision and its resulting kilonova.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • However, this star doesn't have certain other heavy elements that would be present after a neutron star collision.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Oct. 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
  • Next, Hollands is planning to keep analyzing more white dwarf star spectra, with advances in scientific techniques meaning that researchers will be able to look at a new tranche of stars that are even farther away from Earth.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Located just 48 light-years from Earth, this white dwarf has a deep convection zone that carries carbon from its core to its surface.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of white dwarf
Noun
  • This kind of signal in the brain is called a decision variable, a running tally of evidence that can climb toward a commitment.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The political situation in Israel adds a combustible variable.
    — Ali Vaez, Time, 21 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 25 Oct. 2026.

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