cosmology

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

cosmologist

2 of 2

noun (2)

cos·​mol·​o·​gist käz-ˈmä-lə-jist 

plural -s

: one skilled in, occupied with, or propounding a cosmology

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

Noun

Born in 1946 amid the bombing of Frankfurt, Ruppert instead developed a psychosexual cosmology that rejected neat distinctions between prey and predator. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026

Sawala has submitted his rebuttal for its own peer review, and the preprint is already making rounds in the cosmology community. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 9 July 2026

The hunt is now on for more lensing clusters like XLSSC 122, and if they are found so early in the universe's history, a major revision of cosmology may be on the cards. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 June 2026

Princeton's new Forum will be an interdisciplinary hub, focusing on high-energy physics, cosmology, and related mathematics, with Eliot Quataert as its inaugural director. — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

cosmology + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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