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

Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! —Dory Jackson, People.com, 23 May 2025

Gallup polls between 1990 and 2005 consistently found between 23% and 28% of Americans believed in astrology, the Pew report noted. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 22 May 2025

Other findings The poll also found that the biggest difference in the likelihood of Americans to believe or consult astrology is age and gender. —Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025

Without testable, falsifiable results, astrology remains anecdotal, not research. —Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025

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