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

To seal the night, our clients observed the night sky using the historic 100-inch Hooker Telescope, a tool used by the greatest astronomers of the Twentieth Century, including Edwin Hubble, who used it to measure the expansion of the Universe. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

Based on stellar models, astronomers believe the star is at least 5 to 7 billion years old. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026

The majority of those missions have been for Starlink with the company’s internet constellation having grown to nearly 10,000 satellites in orbit, according to statistics maintained by astronomer Jonathan McDowell. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026

In Morocco, Alex Wix of Wix Squared frequently arranges Sahara journeys with a private astronomer to interpret the constellations. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 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