astronomy

noun

as·​tron·​o·​my ə-ˈsträ-nə-mē How to pronounce astronomy (audio)
plural astronomies
: the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere and of their physical and chemical properties

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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 astronomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
See stars, planets Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area will host a free astronomy program from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the park visitor center. Flip Putthoff, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024 Introduction By Jonathan O'Callaghan Contributing Writer October 23, 2024 astronomy astrophysics black holes dark matter galaxies gravitational waves physics All topics (opens a new tab) Galaxies have been merging into ever-bigger structures over the course of cosmic history. Quanta Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 In April 2021, astronomy educator John Heasley set out to see just how dark the skies were in southwestern Wisconsin's Vernon County. Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2024 This is the ideal purchase for astronomy enthusiasts. Margaret Drake, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for astronomy 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English astronomie "study of celestial bodies, including their possible influence on human affairs," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French astronomie, borrowed from Latin astronomia, borrowed from Greek astronomía "study of the stars, especially their movements," from astro- astro- + -nomia -nomy

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of astronomy was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near astronomy

Cite this Entry

“Astronomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astronomy. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

astronomy

noun
as·​tron·​o·​my ə-ˈsträn-ə-mē How to pronounce astronomy (audio)
plural astronomies
: the science of the heavenly bodies and of their sizes, motions, and composition
astronomer
-mər
noun

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