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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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 4 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on variable star

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about variable star

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