light year

• Eine astronomische Längeneinheit, die der Strecke entspricht, die das Licht im Vakuum in einem Jahr zurücklegt, etwa 9,46 Billionen Kilometer. Sie wird verwendet, um Entfernungen im Weltraum anzugeben.

A unit of astronomical distance equal to the distance light travels in one year, approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers (5.88 trillion miles).

1. Astronomical distanceB2formal

   A unit of distance used in astronomy, equal to the distance light travels in one year (about 9.46 trillion kilometers).

   Astronomische Entfernung

   • The nearest star to Earth is about 4.2 light years away.
   • Galaxies can be millions of light years apart.
   • Astronomers measure cosmic distances in light years.

2. Figurative: huge differenceB2informal

   Used informally to describe a very large difference or a long period of time.

   Riesenunterschied

   • Their new model is light years ahead of the competition.
   • The technology we have now is light years beyond what we had a decade ago.
   • Her understanding of the subject is light years ahead of mine.