Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

celestial mechanics

noun plural but singular or plural in construction

Definition of celestial mechanics

: the application of the methods of analytic mechanics to the determination of the motions of the celestial bodies under the action of gravitation

— called also gravitational astronomy

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Learn More about celestial mechanics

Statistics for celestial mechanics

Look-up Popularity

Comments on celestial mechanics

What made you want to look up celestial mechanics? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

genial

Listen to the pronounciation of genial

friendly or mild

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Where in the World? A Quiz

  • peter bruegel tower of babel painting
  • What language does pajama come from?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games