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

The latter scope which includes the instruments HARPS (High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher) and NIRPS (Near Infra Red Planet Searcher), which astronomers use to find and study exoplanets — worlds outside of our solar system. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Over millions and billions of years, the drag from a star’s magnetic field slows its rotation, and in fact, the astronomers found that stars with stronger magnetism tended to rotate more slowly. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026

This is exactly the kind of international partnership NASA should hold onto, according to Ira Thorpe, a gravitational wave astronomer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and leader of the US science team for the LISA mission. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026

Still, SpaceX’s video aligns with models and simulations by astronomers and space experts, who also noted that the Starmind constellation will form two artificial rings around Earth. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 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