variable star

noun

Definition of variable 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 variable star 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 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 Many of these alerts will be triggered by variable stars, which cyclically change in brightness. — IEEE Spectrum, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for variable star
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variable star
  1. neutron star
  2. red star
  3. binary 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
  • The twinkling point of light to the moon's upper left is the binary star system Alpha Virginis, also known as Spica, which shines as the brightest point in the constellation Virgo.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The study has major implications for studying binary star systems as well.
    — Damien Pine, Scientific American, 21 July 2026
Definition of binary 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

Browse Nearby Words

variables
variable star
variable stars
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Cite this Entry

“Variable star.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variable%20star. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on variable star

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about variable star

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