Aldebaran

[ al-deb-er-uh n ]

/ ælˈdɛb ər ən /

noun

a first-magnitude star, orange in color, in the constellation Taurus.

Origin of Aldebaran

< Arabic al the + dabarān follower (of the Pleiades)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for aldebaran

The old king, his father, stepped down in the morning sun, and with bared head Aldebaran knelt to receive his blessing.
The Jester's Sword|Annie Fellows Johnston
Blue and rose by turns, like the changeful Aldebaran, it was formed by Adrienne and Sylvie, the two halves of my love.
Sylvie: souvenirs du Valois|Grard de Nerval
Aldebaran, a reddish star of the first magnitude in the constellation of Taurus.
La Lgende des Sicles|Victor Hugo
In 1779 Mira is reported to have been as bright as the first-magnitude star Aldebaran.
A Field Book of the Stars|William Tyler Olcott

Note two pretty pairs in the Hyades, one south of Aldebaran, the other northwest of it.
A Field Book of the Stars|William Tyler Olcott

British Dictionary definitions for aldebaran

Aldebaran

/ (ælˈdɛbərən) /

noun

a binary star, one component of which is a red giant, the brightest star in the constellation Taurus. It appears in the sky close to the star cluster Hyades. Visual magnitude: 0.85; spectral type: K5III; distance: 65 light years

Word Origin for Aldebaran

C14: via Medieval Latin from Arabic al-dabarān the follower (of the Pleiades)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for aldebaran

Aldebaran

bright star in Taurus, late 14c., from Arabic Al Dabaran "the follower" (of the Pleiades, which rise shortly before it does), from dabara "he followed."

Science definitions for aldebaran

Aldebaran

[ ăl-dĕb′ər-ən ]

A red giant star in the constellation Taurus. Aldebaran is the thirteenth brightest star in the sky, with an apparent magnitude of 0.85. Scientific name: Alpha Tauri.