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

Recent surveys have continued discovering quasars that formed less than a billion years after the Big Bang, helping astronomers understand how the earliest supermassive black holes grew so quickly. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

Today astronomers have a greater understanding of eclipses, but our fascination is as strong as ever. — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026

Although no one observed the actual 5,400-mph (8,700-kph) collision, a telescope in Chile spotted what astronomers have identified as the debris plume resulting from the crash. — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Because shock breakouts generally last only seconds to hours, astronomers rarely detect them. — Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2026

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