galaxy
noun
Newsweek
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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.
Examples of galaxy in a Sentence
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Do stars and galaxies still act like stars and galaxies?
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2025
With its ability to learn and adapt, AGI could lead autonomous space missions, exploring planets and distant galaxies.
—Sri Bhargav Krishna Adusumilli, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Bock said these observations could unlock answers about galaxy formation and enable the observatory to investigate the origin of water and other organic materials in our Milky Way galaxy.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for galaxy
Cite this Entry
“Galaxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galaxy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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galaxy
noun
Middle English galaxie "the Milky Way," from Latin galaxias (same meaning), from Greek galaxias "Milky Way," from galakt-, gala "milk"
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