Betelgeuse

or Be·tel·geux

[ beet-l-jooz, bet-l-jœz ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. a first-magnitude red supergiant in the constellation Orion.

Betelgeuse

/ ˌbiːtəlˈdʒɜːz; ˈbiːtəlˌdʒɜːz /

noun

1. a very remote luminous red supergiant, Alpha Orionis: the second brightest star in the constellation Orion. It is a variable star

Betelgeuse

/ bēt′l-jo̅o̅z′ /

1. A red supergiant star in the constellation Orion. It is a variable star with a brightest apparent magnitude of 0.5. Scientific name: Alpha Orionis.
2. See Note at Rigel

Word History and Origins

Origin of Betelgeuse¹

1790–1800; < French < Arabic bīt al jauzāʾ shoulder of the giant (i.e., of Orion)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Betelgeuse¹

C18: from French, from Arabic bīt al-jauzā' literally: shoulder of the giant, that is, of Orion

Example Sentences

Overhead, Betelgeuse was making the most of its recent publicity, unobstructed by vagrant clouds.

From Project Gutenberg

He had known Betelgeuse years ago and personally had always preferred its neighbour Rigel, which had received no publicity at all.

From Project Gutenberg

Rigel belongs to a new generation of the universe; Betelgeuse to the universe that is passing.

From Project Gutenberg

And he estimated Betelgeuse to be two hundred and sixty million miles in diameter.

From Project Gutenberg

The reddish daylight swelled; Betelgeuse was rising quietly and majestically.

From Project Gutenberg