cosmology

noun

cos·​mol·​o·​gy käz-ˈmä-lə-jē How to pronounce cosmology (audio)
plural cosmologies
1
a
: a branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of the universe
b
: a theory or doctrine describing the natural order of the universe
2
: a branch of astronomy that deals with the origin, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe
also : a theory dealing with these matters
cosmological adjective
cosmologically adverb
cosmologist noun

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Cosmology and Star Trek

Most religions and cultures include some kind of cosmology to explain the nature of the universe. In modern astronomy, the leading cosmology is still the Big Bang theory, which claims that the universe began with a huge explosion that sent matter and energy spreading out in all directions. One reason why fans watch Star Trek is for the various cosmologies depicted in the show, including different conceptions of space, time, and the meaning of life.

Examples of cosmology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In a slew of papers posted online on February 14 that will appear in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, the scientists used their initial catalog of clusters to weigh in on several of cosmology’s big questions. Liz Kruesi, Quanta Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 This sensory museum experience takes travelers on an adventure through Mayan cosmology. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2024 Since the 1980s science writer Ann Finkbeiner has been covering the cutting edge of cosmology—the big bang, the structure of the universe, the evolution of galaxies. Laura Helmuth, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024 The fissures that appeared a decade ago have split wide open, creating bigger rifts in cosmology’s favorite model. Quanta Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024 Pisani teaches a course there in cosmology—the structure and evolution of the universe. Michael D. Lemonick, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024 For comparison purposes—not that anyone can really make sense of the mind-boggling distances involved in cosmology—our Milky Way galaxy spans about 100,000 light-years across. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2024 At the same time, scientists have also developed a standard model of cosmology to account for the largest scales. Daniel Garisto, Scientific American, 13 Dec. 2023 In a broad sense, the idea that the Milky Way is unique among all galaxies contradicts a basic tenet of cosmology, which holds that there’s nothing special about any particular place in the universe. Adam Mann, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cosmology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin cosmologia, from Greek kosmos — see cosmic + New Latin -logia -logy

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cosmology was circa 1656

Dictionary Entries Near cosmology

Cite this Entry

“Cosmology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmology. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cosmology

noun
cos·​mol·​o·​gy käz-ˈmäl-ə-jē How to pronounce cosmology (audio)
plural cosmologies
: a branch of astronomy that deals with the beginning, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe
cosmologist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cosmology

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