cosmology

noun

cos·​mol·​o·​gy käz-ˈmä-lə-jē 

plural cosmologies

1

a

: a branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of the universe

b

: a theory or doctrine describing the natural order of the universe

2

: a branch of astronomy that deals with the origin, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe

also : a theory dealing with these matters

cosmological

ˌkäz-mə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

cosmologically

ˌkäz-mə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

cosmologist

käz-ˈmä-lə-jist 

noun

Did you know?

Cosmology and Star Trek

Most religions and cultures include some kind of cosmology to explain the nature of the universe. In modern astronomy, the leading cosmology is still the Big Bang theory, which claims that the universe began with a huge explosion that sent matter and energy spreading out in all directions. One reason why fans watch Star Trek is for the various cosmologies depicted in the show, including different conceptions of space, time, and the meaning of life.

Examples of cosmology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The standard model of cosmology — suggesting that the matter across the universe is spread out in a uniform manner — clashes with the notion of a local void. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2025

The standard model of cosmology assumes that matter should be spread fairly evenly across such large scales. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025

Performance, video, painting, sound, installation, sculpture, writing, and collective and musical experiments will be included in the Bienal, as will works based on community practices, ecologies, oral traditions, and non-Western cosmologies. —News Desk, Artforum, 11 June 2025

The wide-field view of Rubin could help confirm this, which would prompt revisions to the standard model of cosmology, or Lambda Cold Dark Matter (LCDM), a model built on a constant dark energy strength. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin cosmologia, from Greek kosmos — see cosmic + New Latin -logia -logy

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for cosmology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology
• ethnology

Kids Definition

cosmology

noun

cos·​mol·​o·​gy käz-ˈmäl-ə-jē 

plural cosmologies

: a branch of astronomy that deals with the beginning, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe

cosmologist

-jəst 

noun