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

According to other Hindu legends, all nine planets of Vedic astrology are said to live in the belly of the god Ganesha or in the tail of the god Hanuman. —Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

Gordon acknowledges that, for some, astrology is all smoke and mirrors, but encourages an open mind. —Kristine Johnson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024

All right, well, that is our show, astrology or not. —Michael Calore Lauren Goode, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2024

Eclipse viewing party and astrology chat with Jazzy Experience the solar eclipse at AZ Stone Co. in Fountain Hills. —The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024

Western astrology is mainly about convenience, not accuracy, but a month out? —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Symbolically, this represents a transformation of identity, because the sun represents identity in astrology. —Marie Bladt, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2024

While penumbral lunar eclipses are not exactly visual showstoppers, in astrology, eclipses always demand attention. —Emily Newhouse, Allure, 22 Mar. 2024

The Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa will open to the public for a free all-day eclipse event, including outdoor yoga, an astrology speaker and party. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024

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

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