Altair

noun

Al·​tair al-ˈtī(-ə)r 

-ˈter, 

ˈal-ˌtī(-ə)r, 

-ˌter

: the brightest star in the constellation Aquila

Examples of Altair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Three stars — Deneb, Vega and Altair — will form a triangle, known as the Summer Triangle asterism. — Hali Smith june 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2026

Below, sits Altair, while Deneb glows to the left, representing the tail of the great swan in the constellation Cygnus. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 11 May 2026

The Altair 8800, which sold out immediately, and other kit computers of its ilk, such as the IMSAI 8080, were more hobbyist dreams realized than useful tools for regular people. — Jamie Lendino, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026

Still, some concerned Altair homeowners were eager to learn what the items were. — Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, shortened from Arabic al-nasr al-ṭāʼir "the flying eagle," a name for the line of stars Alpha, Beta and Gamma Aquilae

Note: According to Paul Kunitzsch, Arabische Sternnamen in Europa (Wiesbaden, 1959), the Arabic name (with many variants) was applied to the single star Alpha Aquilae for convenience in astrolabe manuals. In Arabic star nomenclature, al-nasr al-ṭāʼir, "the flying eagle" in Aquila was opposed to al-nasr al-wāqiʻ, "the falling eagle," applied to the three stars Alpha, Epsilon and Zeta Lyrae.

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Altair

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare
• cookware