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

During an exclusive astrology reading for the PEOPLE App, the yoga instructor and entrepreneur, 42, didn’t hesitate to own her Capricorn sun, deeply resonating with this Earth sign’s relationship with authority, resilience and responsibility. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

Travel is highly favored for June and July, when the astrology strongly supports long-distance journeys, cultural immersion, and the kind of adventure your sign lives for. —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026

Channing Tatum is apparently nursing his heart with poetry and astrology amid news his ex-fiancée Zoë Kravitz is engaged. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026

Generational cohort is no more useful than astrology for describing the traits of individuals, and only a little helpful for discussing the traits of large groups. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 24 Apr. 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