Milky Way
/ˌmɪl.ki ˈweɪ/noun
The barred spiral galaxy that contains the Solar System, also visible from Earth as a pale luminous band across the night sky.
Did you know?The Greek name galaxías kýklos, “milky circle,” gave English the word “galaxy,” while Greek mythology linked the pale band to milk spilled from Hera’s breast.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*melǵ-
“To milk or draw out liquid by squeezing; the ancient root behind “milk.””
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*weǵʰ-
“To move or transport, the root behind “way” and words for vehicles and journeys.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
galaxías kýklos
“Milky circle; the pale celestial band, from gála, “milk.””
8th–11th Century
Old English
milcweg
“Milk-way or milk-road, an early English name for the luminous band in the sky.”
Middle English
English
milky wey
“A way or path appearing milky; the phrase developed from Old English milcweg.”
Modern English
English
Milky Way
“The proper name of our galaxy and, by extension, the visible starry band produced by its disk.”