¹binary

noun bi·na·ry \ˈbī-nə-rē, -ˌner-ē, -ˌne-rē\

plural bi·na·ries

Definition of BINARY

: something made of or based on two things or parts: as

a : binary star

b : a binary number system

First Known Use of BINARY

15th century

²binary

adjective

: relating to or consisting of two things or parts

: relating to or involving a method of calculating and of representing information especially in computers by using the numbers 0 and 1

Full Definition of BINARY

: compounded or consisting of or marked by two things or parts

a : duple —used of measure or rhythm

b : having two musical subjects or two complementary sections

a : relating to, being, or belonging to a system of numbers having 2 as its base <the binary digits 0 and 1>

b : involving a choice or condition of two alternatives (as on-off or yes-no)

a : composed of two chemical elements, an element and a radical that acts as an element, or two such radicals

b : utilizing two harmless ingredients that upon combining form a lethal substance (as a gas) <binary weapons>

: relating two logical or mathematical elements <a binary operation>

: of or relating to the use of stable oppositions (as good and evil) to analyze a subject or create a structural model <the binary opposition of male and female — Joan W. Scott>

See binary defined for English-language learners

See binary defined for kids

Origin of BINARY

Late Latin binarius, from Latin bini two by two — more at bin-

First Known Use: 1597

Related to BINARY

Synonyms: double, bipartite, double-barreled, double-edged, dual, duplex, twin, twofold

Antonyms: single

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

BINARIES Defined for Kids

binary

adjective bi·na·ry \ˈbī-nə-rē\

Definition of BINARY for Kids

: of, relating to, or being a number system with a base of 2 <The two binary digits are 0 and 1.>

Medical Dictionary

binary

adjective bi·na·ry \ˈbī-nə-rē, -ˌner-ē\

Medical Definition of BINARY

: compounded or consisting of or marked by two things or parts

a : composed of two chemical elements, an element and a radical that acts as an element, or two such radicals b : utilizing two harmless ingredients that upon combining form a lethal substance (as a gas)