galaxy

IPA/ˈɡæləksi/
KK[ɡˈæləksi]IPA/ˈɡæləksi/

galaxy — noun

  • galaxysingular
  • galaxiesplural

1. an enormous system of stars, planets, gas, and dust, held together by gravity in

1.nounB2
Definition

an enormous system of stars, planets, gas, and dust, held together by gravity in space. The universe contains billions of such systems, each with millions or billions of stars.

Example

Nora used a telescope to observe a distant spiral galaxy.

collocation: spiral galaxy / distant galaxy — common adjective patterns

Astronomers estimate that the observable universe contains over a hundred billion galaxies.

Common collocations
  • spiral galaxy
  • elliptical galaxy
  • distant galaxy
  • nearby galaxy
  • dwarf galaxy
  • observe a galaxy
  • discover a galaxy
Synonyms
  • star system

    a more general term that can mean a star and its planets, not necessarily a galaxy

  • nebula

    a cloud of gas and dust in space — much smaller than a galaxy and part of one

Grammar Patterns

a galaxy

galaxies

the [adjective] Galaxy

Usage Note

Often described by shape: spiral galaxy, elliptical galaxy, or irregular galaxy. The shape depends on how the stars and gas are arranged.

Common Mistakes

The Earth is in the Andromeda Galaxy.
The Earth is in the Milky Way Galaxy.
Andromeda is a separate galaxy billions of light-years away.

2. a group of very famous, wealthy, or highly talented people who have gathered in

2.nounC1
Definition

a group of very famous, wealthy, or highly talented people who have gathered in one place — for example, movie stars at an award ceremony or leading scientists at an international conference.

Example

The awards ceremony attracted a galaxy of Hollywood stars and music icons.

pattern: a galaxy of + [notable people]

A galaxy of world leaders arrived in Paris for the climate summit.

Common collocations
  • a galaxy of stars
  • a galaxy of talent
  • a galaxy of celebrities
  • a galaxy of artists
Synonyms
  • constellation

    also figurative for a group of famous people, but suggests a smaller, more select set

  • array

    a more neutral word for an impressive group, with less emphasis on fame

  • gathering

    general term for any group coming together, without the 'famous' connotation

Grammar Patterns

a galaxy of [famous people]

Usage Note

Used in singular form only ('a galaxy of…'). The noun that follows is usually a plural group of notable or accomplished people. This sense can also apply to things (a galaxy of talent, a galaxy of ideas), but the people-related use is most common.

Common Mistakes

There was a galaxy of shoppers at the mall.
There was a galaxy of celebrities at the film premiere.
'galaxy' is reserved for outstanding or notable people, not just any large crowd.

3. the star system also called the Milky Way, which includes our Sun, Earth, and ev

3.nounB1
Definition

the star system also called the Milky Way, which includes our Sun, Earth, and every other planet in our solar neighbourhood. Seen from a dark location on Earth, it appears as a bright band of light across the sky.

Example

On a clear night, Lara saw the Milky Way stretching across the dark sky above the mountains.

the Milky Way — visible as a band of light; always with 'the'

Our solar system lies in a spiral arm of the Galaxy, far from the bright centre.

Common collocations
  • the centre of the Galaxy
  • the arms of the Galaxy
  • the edge of the Galaxy
  • the Milky Way
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

the Galaxy

the Milky Way

Usage Note

Use 'the Galaxy' (capital G) or 'the Milky Way' when referring specifically to the system containing Earth. 'Milky Way' is the common name in everyday conversation; 'the Galaxy' is more formal. When used as a general term (sense 1), 'galaxy' is lower case.

Common Mistakes

Our solar system is inside a galaxy called the Milky Way Galaxy.' (redundant)
Our solar system is inside the Milky Way.' OR '…inside the Galaxy.
'Milky Way' already implies a galaxy; there is no need to say 'Milky Way Galaxy' in most contexts.

Word family

  • galactic
    adjectiveB2
  • intergalactic
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A galaxy is a vast system of stars, gas, and dust bound together by gravity — for example, the Milky Way or Andromeda. The universe is everything that exists: all galaxies, space, time, and matter. The cosmos is a more philosophical term for the universe, often stressing its order and beauty. A solar system is far smaller — just one star (like our Sun) and the planets that orbit it; our solar system is inside the Galaxy. A nebula is a cloud of gas and dust within a galaxy, not a whole system of stars. In short: galaxies contain nebulae and solar systems; the universe contains all galaxies; the cosmos is the universe seen as an ordered whole.

universe ↗cosmos ↗solar system ↗nebula ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • the centre of the galaxy
  • the edge of the galaxy
  • a galaxy of [people]

Prepositions

  • in a galaxy
  • across the galaxy
  • within a galaxy

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'galaxy' comes from the Greek 'galaktos' (γαλακτος), meaning 'milk'. Ancient Greeks gave the name 'galaxias kyklos' (milky circle) to the pale band of light they saw across the night sky — what we now call the Milky Way. This passed into Latin as 'via lactea' (milky road) and into Old French as 'galaxie', before entering English around the 1300s. For many centuries 'galaxy' referred only to our own Milky Way. Only in the 1800s and early 1900s, as telescopes improved, did astronomers realise that the faint spiral-shaped objects seen through them were other 'island universes' — other galaxies far beyond the Milky Way.