Galaxy: Definition, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：vast collection of stars (galaxy)

galaxy 🔊

/ˈɡæləksi/

A huge system of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity, like the Milky Way.

Illustration of a spiral galaxy showing its glowing core and star-filled arms in space.

vast collection of stars 🔊

➕

/væst kəˈlɛkʃən əv stɑːrz/

A galaxy is a massive system consisting of billions of stars, along with interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter, all held together by gravitational forces.

📁 Category：Space Exploration 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'galaxias', meaning 'milky', derived from 'gala' (milk).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'Galactic system' to recall that a galaxy is a vast system of stars in space.

📖 Example

Using a high-powered telescope, the astronomy class marveled at a distant galaxy with bright spiral arms. 🔊 In this sentence, an astronomy class uses a telescope to observe a faraway galaxy featuring bright spiral arms.

🔗 Collocations

spiral galaxy – a galaxy characterized by spiral-shaped arms

distant galaxy – a galaxy located far from Earth

galaxy cluster – a group of galaxies bound together by gravity

🔄 Synonyms

star system (n.) – a system of stars, though often on a smaller scale than a galaxy

cosmos (n.) – the universe viewed as an orderly and interconnected whole

nebula (n.) – a cloud of gas and dust in space, sometimes a component of galaxies

🌱 Derivatives

galactic (adj.) – relating to or characteristic of a galaxy

intergalactic (adj.) – existing or occurring between galaxies

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'galaxy' originates from Greek 'galaxias', referring to the Milky Way. In modern English, it's used metaphorically, such as in 'a galaxy of stars' to describe a group of celebrities.