binary
n. countablen. a system or situation that has only two possible parts or choices. In computers, it refers to a way of counting using only the numbers zero and one.
n. a system, situation, or set of data consisting of two distinct parts or alternatives. Often used in computing to describe a base-2 numbering system or in social sciences to describe a pair of opposing concepts.
Computers process all information as a simple binary of zeros and ones.
The debate was framed as a false binary between economic growth and environmental protection.
In astronomy, a binary consists of two stars orbiting a common center of mass, providing essential data for calculating stellar weights and distances.
From Late Latin bīnārius (“consisting of two”), from Latin bīnī (“two-by-two, pair”). By surface analysis, bin- + -ary.
Often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to social or logical divisions.