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

Thanks in part to improvements in telescope design, astronomers began identifying thousands of nebulae and star clusters, in essence making the universe suddenly larger in the same way that advances in geology had made the earth suddenly older. —Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

Here, the SpaceX CEO is referring to the Kardashev scale, a framework developed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in the 60s. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026

Still, York and other astronomers yearned for more. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026

And that's to say nothing about how these satellites will affect the work of astronomers or potentially increase light pollution. —New Atlas, 7 Feb. 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