constellation

noun

con·​stel·​la·​tion ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce constellation (audio)
1
: the configuration of stars especially at one's birth
2
: any of 88 arbitrary configurations of stars or an area of the celestial sphere covering one of these configurations
the constellation Orion
3
: an assemblage, collection, or group of usually related persons, qualities, or things
… a constellation of … relatives, friends, and hangers-on …Brendan Gill
a constellation of symptoms
4
: pattern, arrangement
… taking advantage of the shifting constellation of power throughout the known world.H. D. Lasswell
constellatory adjective

Examples of constellation in a Sentence

The constellation Ursa Major contains the stars of the Big Dipper. A large constellation of relatives and friends attended the funeral. The patient presented a constellation of symptoms.
Recent Examples on the Web This fall, that constellation expands with the debut of 12 fixtures—on view as part of an installation at Manhattan’s 1886 Mercantile Exchange building from November 19 to December 1. Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024 While classic telecommunication satellites orbit as high as 35,000 kilometres from earth, constellation satellites are at just 600 kilometres altitude, greatly reducing latency and allowing for video streaming. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 18 Oct. 2024 Named after after Orion because the meteors seem to emerge – or radiate – from the same area in the sky as the constellation, the Orionids are also framed by some of the brightest stars in the night sky. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024 In Latest Survey With Race Nearly Tied Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations help enable a mesh network that backs up operations to guarantee resiliency or expand operations, delivering carrier ethernet-level performance at the lowest latency and highest speed. Glenn Katz, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for constellation 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constellation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English constellacioun, from Anglo-French constellation, from Late Latin constellation-, constellatio, from Latin com- + stella star — more at star

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of constellation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near constellation

Cite this Entry

“Constellation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constellation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

constellation

noun
con·​stel·​la·​tion ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce constellation (audio)
: any of 88 groups of stars forming patterns
Etymology

Middle English constellacioun "the position of the stars in the sky at the time of a person's birth," from early French constellation (same meaning), from Latin con-, com- "with" and stella "star"

Medical Definition

constellation

noun
con·​stel·​la·​tion ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce constellation (audio)
: a set of ideas, conditions, symptoms, or traits that fall into or appear to fall into a pattern: as
a
: a group of stimulus conditions or factors affecting personality and behavior development
the way in which family constellation and handling of punishment influenced this particular boyS. B. Sarason
b
: a group of behavioral or personality traits
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