astrology

noun

as·​trol·​o·​gy ə-ˈsträ-lə-jē 

1

: the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects

2

archaic : astronomy

astrological

ˌa-strə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

astrologically

ˌa-strə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

The Difference Between Astronomy and Astrology

Some may find it easy to confuse astronomy and astrology. At one time, these two words actually were synonymous (that is, astronomy once meant what astrology means today), but they have since moved apart from each other. In current use, astronomy is concerned with “the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere,” while astrology is the purported divination of how stars and planets influence our lives. Put bluntly, astronomy is a science, and astrology is not.

Examples of astrology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Earth’s precession Millennia ago, people charted the path of the Sun through the constellations of the zodiac, which birthed the practice of astrology. —Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026

Yoga, meditation, or astrology might have an extra appeal to you right now. —Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026

The horse is part of Chinese astrology, which cycles through 12 signs represented by different animals. —Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026

When lunar eclipses occur, New Age practitioners and others who believe in astrology — the pseudoscientific claim that stars, the moon, and planets affect the character and health of people’s lives — make many claims. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English astrologie "study of celestial bodies, prediction by observing the configuration of celestial bodies," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French astrologie, borrowed from Latin astrologia "study of celestial bodies," borrowed from Greek astrología, from astro- astro- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for astrology

• anthology
• apology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology
• ethnology

Kids Definition

astrology

noun

as·​trol·​o·​gy ə-ˈsträl-ə-jē 

: the study of the supposed influences of the stars on human affairs by their positions in relation to each other

astrologer

-jər

noun

astrological

ˌas-trə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

astrologically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb