galaxy
noun
gal·axy
ˈga-lək-sē
plural galaxies
1
a
often Galaxy
: milky way galaxy
—used with the
b
: any of the very large groups of stars and associated matter that are found throughout the universe
2
a
: an assemblage of brilliant or notable persons or things
a galaxy of artists
b
: world sense 11
… remained galaxies apart on the issue …—Newsweek
Did you know?
The system of stars that includes our sun looks, in the night sky, like a broad band of light. We call this band the Milky Way. The idea of the whiteness of the Milky Way being similar to that of milk is much older than the English language, however. Galaxias, the Greek word for the Milky Way, was derived from the Greek gala, “milk.” English galaxy, derived from Greek galaxias, was not used until the 19th century as a generic term for other star systems as well as the one in which we live.
Cite this Entry
“Galaxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galaxy. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.
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