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DictionarygalaxyStar system
noun

galaxy

GAL-uk-see/ˈɡæləksi/

A vast gravitationally bound collection of stars and interstellar matter.

A single galaxy can contain hundreds of billions of stars.

One isolated spiral galaxy seen obliquely, with a bright central bulge, sweeping arms densely populated by tiny stars, softly colored gas clouds, and dark dust lanes.
Etymology
galaxyGreekmilky

Greek galaxias meant “milky” in the phrase “milky circle,” naming the Milky Way. The name shifted from the visible band to the vast stellar system itself, and eventually to other such systems.

In context

The Overview Effekt9:44
90% of stars in our galaxy have another star within eight light years. In my opinion, probable that astrophage would have spread throughout the entire galaxy like a plague infecting nearly every star.
Time Dilation Visualized

More examples

  • The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy.
  • Two galaxies can collide and eventually merge.
  • Light from that distant galaxy takes millions of years to reach Earth.

Forms

galaxy · galaxies

galactic adjective — Relating to a galaxy or galaxies.