cosmology

noun

cos·​mol·​o·​gy käz-ˈmä-lə-jē How to pronounce cosmology (audio)
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 adjective
cosmologically adverb
cosmologist noun

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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
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Modern theories like genetics, relativity, and Big Bang cosmology, as well as concepts in chemistry, geoscience, physiology, linguistics, and psychology were all suppressed. Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 At its center stands a towering Ceiba tree, sacred in Afro-Cuban cosmology and believed to connect heaven, earth and the underworld. Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025 While the sociologist's lens taught her to decode paradigms and human systems, astrophysics invited her to probe cosmology principles and the Universe as a whole. Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 But reality can be very strange, and this wild idea may yet turn out to describe the Universe more successfully than even the standard ΛCDM cosmology that’s brought us up to this point. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cosmology

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cosmology was circa 1656

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Cite this Entry

“Cosmology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmology. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

cosmology

noun
cos·​mol·​o·​gy käz-ˈmäl-ə-jē How to pronounce cosmology (audio)
plural cosmologies
: a branch of astronomy that deals with the beginning, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe
cosmologist noun

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