binary
noun
bi·na·ry
| \ ˈbī-nə-rē
, -ˌner-ē, -ˌne-rē
\
, -ˌner-ē, -ˌne-rē
\
plural binaries
Definition of binary
(Entry 1 of 2)
2
mathematics
: a number system based only on the numerals 0 and 1 : a binary (see binary entry 2 sense 3a) number system
42 is written as 101010 in binary.
3
: a division into two groups or classes that are considered diametrically opposite
… human sexuality is more complicated than the simple binary of "homosexuals" and "heterosexuals." — Ms
binary
adjectiveDefinition of binary (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: compounded or consisting of or marked by two things or parts
2 music
a
: duple
—used of measure or rhythm
b
: having two musical subjects or two complementary sections
a song in binary form
3a
mathematics
: relating to, being, or belonging to a system of numbers having 2 as its base
the binary digits 0 and 1
b
: involving a choice or condition of two alternatives (such as on-off or yes-no)
4a
chemistry
: composed of two elements (see element sense 2e), an element and a radical (see radical entry 2 sense 4) that acts as an element, or two such radicals
b
: utilizing two harmless ingredients that upon combining form a lethal substance (such as a gas)
binary weapons
5
: relating two logical or mathematical elements
a binary operation
6
: of or relating to the use of stable oppositions (such as good and evil) to analyze a subject or create a structural model
the binary opposition of male and female— Joan W. Scott
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Synonyms & Antonyms for binary
Synonyms: Adjective
bipartite, double, double-barreled, double-edged, dual, duplex, twin, twofold
Antonyms: Adjective
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Examples of binary in a Sentence
Adjective
a binary star is a system of two stars that revolve around each other under their mutual gravitationRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
Nonbinary advocates are calling for a broader definition of medical transition as more Americans identify outside the gender binary. — NBC News, "Neither male nor female: Why some nonbinary people are 'microdosing' hormones," 13 July 2019 This preference for gameshow binaries continued with a discussion about whether the U.S. should ever use a nuclear weapon first. — Heather Souvaine Horn, The New Republic, "Let’s Get Into a Fight About Foreign Policy," 1 Aug. 2019 Streshinsky says it’s Gluck’s 18th-century score, with a difference – the cast and creative team are made up of women and non-binary artists, including Nikola Printz in the role of Orfeo. — Georgia Rowe, The Mercury News, "West Edge Opera stages ‘Breaking the Waves’ to open summer season," 29 July 2019 While some brands and stores have popped up with a focus on gender-neutral or gender-fluid clothing, these options are often expensive, said Stratton, who identifies as non-binary and transmasculine. — Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, "Sew Queer class in D.C. is all about breaking gender rules for clothing," 23 July 2019 The movie, for all its charms, stuck to good-evil binaries. — Peter Rubin, WIRED, "Snowpiercer Trains an Eye on TV—and Its Genre DNA Runs Deep," 21 July 2019 The national news media, largely based in the North, was complicit in perpetuating this regional binary. — Jeanne Theoharis, The Denver Post, "Commentary: How school desegregation became the third rail of Democratic politics," 12 July 2019 My choice to identify as non-binary is used to constantly disrupt gender constructs and gender norms. — Essence, "Indya Moore Makes History At Essence Festival 2019," 7 July 2019 That figure rises to 32% for transgender people and those who don’t identify as either male or female (non-binary). — Elizabeth Gibney, Scientific American, "Discrimination Drives LGBT+ Scientists to Think About Quitting," 29 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
The answer is complicated, but basically binary: there is a lot that private companies can do to censor speech but much less that the government can do. — Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, "The El Paso Shooting and the Virality of Evil," 4 Aug. 2019 The binary options market largely operates outside the U.S. through unregulated websites. — Michael Kunzelman, baltimoresun.com, "Federal jury in Maryland gets case against Israeli company executive accused of duping investors," 2 Aug. 2019 The binary options market largely operates outside the U.S. through unregulated websites. — Washington Post, "Jury gets case against woman accused of duping investors," 1 Aug. 2019 As the playwright intended, an all female, non-binary cast performs the all-male roles — a device that ineffably but undeniably deepens our connection to what might otherwise have been a standard recapitulation of historical events. — Los Angeles Times, "SoCal theater, July 28-Aug. 4: ‘Ragtime,’ ‘Pericles’ and more," 26 July 2019 De Cadenet's Spotify exclusive podcast features conversations with women and non-binary individuals every Tuesday. — Kaitlin Reilly, refinery29.com, "Amber Heard Opened Up About Revenge Porn & The Limits Hollywood Puts On Women," 15 July 2019 As the playwright intended, an all female, non-binary cast performs the all-male roles — a device that ineffably but undeniably deepens our connection to what might otherwise have been a standard recapitulation of historical events. — Matt Cooper, latimes.com, "SoCal theater, July 14-21: Musical parodies of ‘Friends’ and ‘Lost’ and more," 12 July 2019 But even that bit of binary legerdemain involved a relative unknown and took seven days to pull off. — Jack Mccallum, SI.com, "A Clippers Summer: How L.A.’s ‘Other’ Team Stole the NBA Offseason," 9 July 2019 Two of these astronomers, Nicola Tamanini and Camilla Danielski, are now suggesting that LISA could be used to identify a very strange class of planets: heavy planets orbiting binary pairs of white dwarf stars. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Space-based gravitational-wave detector may detect strange exoplanets," 9 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'binary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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