astronomical

adjective

as·​tro·​nom·​i·​cal ˌa-strə-ˈnä-mi-kəl How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
variants or less commonly astronomic
1
: of or relating to astronomy
astronomical observations
2
: enormously or inconceivably large or great
astronomical numbers
an astronomical price
astronomically adverb

Examples of astronomical in a Sentence

The cost of the office building was astronomical. We got an astronomical telephone bill this month.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2025 The beginning of astronomical seasons is marked by solstices and equinoxes (equinox means equal night when there are 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness). Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 Summer Solstice – the start of the astronomical summer – is tonight at 10:42pm EDT. Alana Wise, NPR, 20 June 2025 Solstices are one of the two astronomical methods used to distinguish the seasons on Earth, marking the start of both summer and winter. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 19 June 2025 The percentage is just astronomical, the difference. Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for astronomical

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin astronomicus "of or relating to astronomy" (borrowed from Greek astronomikós "of astronomy, skilled in astronomy," from astronomía astronomy + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of astronomical was in 1551

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Astronomical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astronomical. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

astronomical

adjective
as·​tro·​nom·​i·​cal ˌas-trə-ˈnäm-i-kəl How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
variants also astronomic
1
: of or relating to astronomy
2
: extremely or unbelievably large
the cost was astronomical
astronomically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on astronomical

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