astronomer

noun

as·​tron·​o·​mer ə-ˈsträ-nə-mər 

: a person who is skilled in astronomy or who makes observations of celestial phenomena

Examples of astronomer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An infrared monster Light comes in multiple wavelengths, which astronomers often use to reveal different characteristics about the same objects. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025

But data from the Hubble Space Telescope helped astronomers estimate the size of the comet’s solid, icy nucleus as anywhere from about 1,400 feet to 3½ miles in diameter. —Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025

But SPHEREx’s data will inform studies far beyond these narrow topics, astronomers say. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 19 Dec. 2025

In a September 2015 email, Chomsky discusses an article about religion with Epstein and the astronomer Lawrence Knauss, and there are a handful of other emails in which Epstein and Chomsky discuss news articles and other academic topics. —Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "one versed in astronomy or astrology," from astronomie astronomy + -er -er entry 2

Note: Alternatively, Oxford English Dictionary, third edition, and Middle English Dictionary see the English word as derived from Medieval and Late Latin astronomus "astronomer" (borrowed from Greek astronómos) plus the agent suffix -er.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for astronomer

• ionomer
• monomer