binary system

noun

1. a system involving only two elements, as 0 and 1 or yes and no.
2. Mathematics. a system of counting or measurement whose units are powers of two. Compare binary ( def 2a ).
3. Astronomy. binary star.

Word History and Origins

Origin of binary system¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Over its 12-year mission, it will visit one asteroid in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and seven Trojans, two of which are binary systems where a pair of asteroids orbit each other.

From Science News

Instead, we analyzed the chemical composition of stars in binary systems.

From Singularity Hub 

These mergers involve the mashup of the remnants of two massive stars in a binary system.

From Singularity Hub 

As the name suggests, this is when two neutron stars in a binary system merge together in an energetic event called a “kilonova.”

From Singularity Hub 

This binary system isn’t working for anyone – the customer loses out on the item, because it may go out of stock in their size before they attempt to purchase it again, and the merchant loses the sale.

From TechCrunch

Two centuries ago the distinguished philosopher and mathematician, Leibnitz, proposed a binary system of numeration.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not known that they constitute a binary system, because no certain evidence of motion has been obtained.

From Project Gutenberg

The close pair is a binary system with a long period of revolution, estimated at about two hundred years.

From Project Gutenberg

The star 70 Ophiuchi (fig. 3) may be regarded as typical of a binary system.

From Project Gutenberg

It is virtually certain that RR Centauri is a case of an eclipsing binary system, and that the two stars are close together.

From Project Gutenberg