Betelgeuse
Americannoun
noun
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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.
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See Note at Rigel
Etymology
Origin of Betelgeuse
1790–1800; < French < Arabic bīt al jauzāʾ shoulder of the giant (i.e., of Orion)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The wake appears shortly after the companion passes in front of Betelgeuse approximately every six years, or about 2,100 days, in agreement with earlier theoretical predictions.
From Science Daily • Jan. 10, 2026
From Earth's perspective, Betelgeuse is currently eclipsing its companion star.
From Science Daily • Jan. 10, 2026
Orion rises in the east after midnight, just to the north of its red-tinged star Betelgeuse.
From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025
Though initially, this created a buzz that Betelgeuse might go supernova any minute, scientists soon found out that the dimming was actually due to a large fluff of dust that the monster sneezed out.
From Space Scoop • Aug. 20, 2025
Perhaps your great-great-great-great-great- grandchild may be alive when your flashlight beam reaches Betelgeuse, and remember that there are stars much, much further away than old Beetle Juice!
From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
