binary

1 of 2

noun

bi·na·ry ˈbī-nə-rē -ˌner-ē

-ˌne-rē

plural binaries

Synonyms of binary

: something made of two things or parts

specifically : binary star

mathematics : a number system based only on the numerals 0 and 1 : a binary (see binary entry 2 sense 3a) number system

42 is written as 101010 in binary.

: a division into two groups or classes that are considered diametrically opposite

Sam Killermann, a self-described "social justice comedian," is very serious about how far the complexities of identity go beyond the traditional binary of male or female.—Katy Steinmetz

binary

2 of 2

adjective

: compounded or consisting of or marked by two things or parts

music

: duple

—used of measure or rhythm

: having two musical subjects or two complementary sections

a song in binary form

mathematics : relating to, being, or belonging to a system of numbers having 2 as its base

the binary digits 0 and 1

: involving a choice or condition of two alternatives (such as on-off or yes-no)

chemistry : composed of two elements (see element sense 2e), an element and a radical (see radical entry 2 sense 4) that acts as an element, or two such radicals

: utilizing two harmless ingredients that upon combining form a lethal substance (such as a gas)

binary weapons

: relating two logical or mathematical elements

a binary operation

: of or relating to the use of stable oppositions (such as good and evil) to analyze a subject or create a structural model

the binary opposition of male and female—Joan W. Scott

Did you know?

The animals went in two by two, the elephant and the kangaroo. . .. It was a binary parade of sorts that went into Noah's ark "for to get out of the rain" - the critters were represented in pairs. If you recall those partnered beasts, you'll remember the etymology of binary, because it traces to the Latin bini, which translates as "two by two." Although "binary" can be used for anything with two parts, it is now used especially in relation to computers and information processing. Digital computers use the binary number system, which includes only the digits 0 and 1, to process even complex data. In binary form, for instance, the word HELLO looks like this: 1001000 1000101 1001100 1001100 1001111.

Examples of binary in a Sentence

Adjective a binary star is a system of two stars that revolve around each other under their mutual gravitation

Recent Examples on the Web

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Noun

This could reveal the temperature of the white dwarf and additional details of red dwarf/white dwarf binaries like this one. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025 And yet, some Black women are now aligning and reinforcing the very system that has marginalized them, acting as enforcers of a rigid gender binary rooted in white supremacist ideals. —Laura-Ashley Modunkwu, refinery29.com, 12 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Intersex people have chromosomes and/or reproductive organs that do not fit into a binary male or female classification, while two-spirit refers to members of Indigenous cultures who identify as having both a masculine and feminine spirit. —Colleen English, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2025 This can help transform the binary available/away status into a more nuanced communication tool. —Rachel Montanez, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for binary