spiral galaxy

noun

: a galaxy exhibiting a central nucleus or barred structure from which extend curved arms of higher luminosity

called also spiral nebula

Examples of spiral galaxy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
One of the highest-resolution cameras in astronomy has been used to capture a distant star-producing spiral galaxy in exquisite detail. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 This Hubble image features Arp 122, a galaxy that actually comprises two vast galaxies colliding with each other—NGC 6040, the tilted, warped spiral galaxy at left, and LEDA 59642, the round, face-on spiral galaxy at right. Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024 Celestial cannonball galaxy Hubble Space Telescope captured this image of spiral galaxy IC 3225, which appears to be streaking though space like a cannonball, stretching its arms of stars out behind it in its wake. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024 For example, the delicate structure of a spiral galaxy in the cluster Abell 3381, located 470 million light-years away, can be seen in the mosaic as well as light blue clouds between the stars in our Milky Way galaxy. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spiral galaxy 

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spiral galaxy was in 1913

Dictionary Entries Near spiral galaxy

Cite this Entry

“Spiral galaxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiral%20galaxy. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on spiral galaxy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!