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binary

/ˈbaɪ.nə.ɹɪ/

noun

Meaning

  • A thing which can have only (one or the other of) two values.

  • The bijective base-2 numeral system, which uses only the digits 0 and 1.

  • An executable computer file.

  • A satellite system consisting of two stars or other bodies orbiting each other.

Synonyms

base 2,
binary star,
double star

adjective

Meaning

  • Being in a state of one of two mutually exclusive conditions such as on or off, true or false, molten or frozen, presence or absence of a signal.

    "Binary states are often represented as 1 and 0 in computer science."

  • Concerning logic whose subject matter concerns binary states.

  • Concerning numbers and calculations using the binary number system.

  • Having two equally important parts; related to something with two parts.

    "A binary statistical distribution has only two categories."

  • (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."

  • Of data, consisting coded values (e.g. machine code) not interpretable as plain or ASCII text (e.g. source code).

    "He downloaded the binary distribution for Linux, then burned it to DVD."

  • Focusing on two mutually exclusive conditions.

    "He has a very binary understanding of gender."

Synonyms

dyadic,
Boolean,
base-2,
double,
twin