noun
Andromeda
an-DRO-mih-duh
noun
1
A spiral galaxy in the constellation of the same name, and the nearest large galaxy to our own Milky Way.
"On a clear night away from city lights, you can just make out Andromeda as a faint smudge in the sky."
"Andromeda is on a slow collision course with the Milky Way, though the impact is billions of years away."
2
A low evergreen shrub with leathery leaves and small bell-shaped flowers, grown in gardens and also called bog rosemary.
"She planted andromeda along the shady border of the garden for its glossy winter foliage."
How to Use Andromeda
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually refers to either the famous galaxy near the Milky Way or a small ornamental garden shrub — context makes clear which one is meant.
Common pairings
Andromeda Galaxy
Andromeda constellation
Word Forms
andromedas plural
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On a clear night away from city lights, you can just make out _____ as a faint smudge in the sky.
Etymology
Named after Andromeda from Greek mythology, the princess rescued by Perseus — the constellation and galaxy are named for her, and the plant genus borrowed the same name later.