binary

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA: /ˈbaɪ.nə.ɹɪ/

Adjective

binary (comparative more binary, superlative most binary)

1. Being in one of two mutually exclusive states.
   • Binary states are often represented as 1 and 0 in computer science.
2. (logic) Concerning logic whose subject matter concerns binary states.
   • Synonym: Boolean
3. (arithmetic, computing) Concerning numbers and calculations using the binary number system.
   • Synonym: base-2
4. Having two equally important parts; related to something with two parts.
   • Synonyms: dyadic, double, twin; see also dual
   • binary star
   • Two ingredients are combined in a binary poison.
   • A binary statistical distribution has only two categories.
5. (mathematics, programming, computer engineering) Of an operation, function, procedure, or logic gate, taking exactly two operands, arguments, parameters, or inputs; having domain of dimension 2.
   • Division of reals is a binary operation.
6. (computing) Of data, consisting coded values (e.g. machine code) not interpretable as plain or ASCII text (e.g. source code).
   • Antonym: plain text
   • He downloaded the binary distribution for Linux, then burned it to DVD.
7. (comparable) Focusing on two mutually exclusive conditions.
   • He has a very binary understanding of gender.

Noun

binary (countable and uncountable, plural binaries)

1. A state in which only two values are possible, in which something must have one value or the other.
2. (mathematics, computing, uncountable) The bijective base-2 numeral system, which uses only the digits 0 and 1.
   • Synonym: base 2
3. (computing) Synonym of binary file; a file consisting of data other than human-readable text.
   • Antonyms: non-binary, text file
4. (astronomy) Synonym of binary asteroid.
5. (astronomy) Synonym of binary planet.
6. (astronomy) Synonym of binary star.
   • Synonym: double star

Anagrams

• brainy