binary
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.having two parts or involving two things.
adj.composed of or involving two things or parts; characterized by a dual nature.
Simple“The scientists looked at a binary star system where two stars orbit each other.”
In context“The researchers analyzed the binary relationship between the two chemical compounds to see how they reacted under pressure.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.related to a system of numbers that uses only 0 and 1.
adj.relating to or using a system of numerical notation that has 2 as its base.
Simple“Computers process all information using binary code made of zeros and ones.”
In context“The processor executes instructions by manipulating binary digits, which represent the most fundamental level of data storage.”
Synonymsbase 2Antonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
adj.describing a situation where there are only two possible and opposite choices.
adj.relating to a system or logic where only two mutually exclusive states or outcomes are possible.
Simple“The debate was not a simple binary choice between right and wrong.”
In context“Sociologists argue that viewing gender as a strict binary fails to account for the diverse experiences of many individuals.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.a way of looking at something as having only two opposite parts.
n.a situation or system in which there are only two possible states or distinct parts.
Simple“We need to move beyond the binary of 'us versus them' to find a solution.”
In context“The traditional binary of nature versus nurture is increasingly seen as an oversimplification of human development.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
n.a type of computer file that is not just plain text.
n.an executable program or a data file stored in a format that is not human-readable text.
Simple“You need to download the binary for the software before you can install it.”
In context“The developer uploaded the compiled binaries to the server, ensuring they were compatible with various operating systems.”
SynonymsAntonymstext file
“It often gets reduced to a binary: a social media ban or nothing.”
From Late Latin bīnārius (“consisting of two”), from Latin bīnī (“two-by-two, pair”). By surface analysis, bin- + -ary.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.