Milky Way
noun
1
: a broad luminous irregular band of light that stretches completely around the celestial sphere and is caused by the light of myriads of faint stars
2
Examples of Milky Way in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Either way, the observations emphasize the fact that our Milky Way galaxy and the Andromeda galaxy have experienced significantly different histories.
—
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Feb. 2025
In fact, observations of these masers have proved that our Milky Way is a magnificent example of a spiral galaxy.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2025
In approximately four billion years, scientists predict that our Milky Way will crash into the Andromeda Galaxy—our closest galactic neighbor—but that will be a more complex collision than the one recently highlighted by Hubble, per Universe Today’s Alan Boyle.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Somewhere in between, humans realized the universe is much larger than our Milky Way — that the spiral nebulas visible through telescopes were, in fact, other galaxies in their own right.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
As one of the largest, most luminous stars in our Milky Way Galaxy, the variable star VY Canis Majoris is a likely candidates for the next naked-eye core-collapse supernova, said Guinan.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Read more: SpaceX Polaris Dawn astronauts perform historic 1st private spacewalk in orbit (video)
A Milky Way marvel over Stonehenge
Photographer Josh Dury captured this absolutely breathtaking view of this year's Perseid meteor shower above Stonehenge, U.K.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Here on Earth, our D to H ratio is some ten times higher than what’s measured in our Milky Way Galaxy’s interstellar medium.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
For space enthusiasts:James Webb Space Telescope reveals Milky Way stars being born
Where is the Atlas comet 2024?
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 31 Oct. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Feb. 2025
In fact, observations of these masers have proved that our Milky Way is a magnificent example of a spiral galaxy.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2025
In approximately four billion years, scientists predict that our Milky Way will crash into the Andromeda Galaxy—our closest galactic neighbor—but that will be a more complex collision than the one recently highlighted by Hubble, per Universe Today’s Alan Boyle.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Somewhere in between, humans realized the universe is much larger than our Milky Way — that the spiral nebulas visible through telescopes were, in fact, other galaxies in their own right.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
As one of the largest, most luminous stars in our Milky Way Galaxy, the variable star VY Canis Majoris is a likely candidates for the next naked-eye core-collapse supernova, said Guinan.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Read more: SpaceX Polaris Dawn astronauts perform historic 1st private spacewalk in orbit (video)
A Milky Way marvel over Stonehenge
Photographer Josh Dury captured this absolutely breathtaking view of this year's Perseid meteor shower above Stonehenge, U.K.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Here on Earth, our D to H ratio is some ten times higher than what’s measured in our Milky Way Galaxy’s interstellar medium.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
For space enthusiasts:James Webb Space Telescope reveals Milky Way stars being born
Where is the Atlas comet 2024?
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 31 Oct. 2024
Articles Related to Milky Way
Cite this Entry
“Milky Way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Milky%20Way. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share