galaxy

UK: /ˈɡæləksi/ US: /ˈgæləksi/ ,(gal′ək sē)

Inflections of 'galaxy' (n): npl: galaxies

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

gal•ax•y /ˈgæləksi/   n., pl. -ax•ies. 

1. Astronomy
   • [countable] a large system of stars separated from similar systems by vast regions of space.
   • [proper noun* usually: the Galaxy] Milky Way.
2. any large and brilliant or impressive group:
   [countable] a galaxy of opera stars.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

gal•ax•y  (gal′ək sē), n., pl. -ax•ies. 

1. Astronomy
   • a large system of stars held together by mutual gravitation and isolated from similar systems by vast regions of space.
   • (usually cap.) See Milky Way. 
2. any large and brilliant or impressive assemblage of persons or things:
   a galaxy of opera stars.

• Greek galaxías kýklos the Milky Way; see galacto-
• Medieval Latin galaxia, galaxias, ultimately
• Middle English galaxie, galaxias 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

galaxy / ˈɡæləksɪ/ noun ( -axies)

1. any of a vast number of star systems held together by gravitational attraction in an asymmetric shape (an irregular galaxy) or, more usually, in a symmetrical shape (a regular galaxy), which is either a spiral or an ellipse
2. a splendid gathering, esp one of famous or distinguished people

Etymology: 14th Century (in the sense: the Milky Way), from Medieval Latin galaxia, from Latin galaxias, from Greek, from gala milk; related to Latin lac milk

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Galaxy / ˈɡæləksɪ/ noun

1. the Galaxy ⇒ the spiral galaxy, approximately 100 000 light years in diameter, that contains the solar system about three fifths of the distance from its centre
   Also known as: the Milky Way System
   See also Magellanic Cloud