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
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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
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His preferred model instead invokes the putative decay of another mysterious aspect of cosmology, dark matter—thought to be a substance that gravitationally binds galaxies together but otherwise scarcely interacts with the rest of the universe at all.
—
Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2025
Understanding that light has a finite speed and linking it to the larger realm of electromagnetism helped secure the spacetime distance scale that is a foundation of contemporary cosmology.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
However, even the planes of satellites scientists have confirmed are difficult to explain in the standard model of cosmology.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025
The name itself doesn’t tell you a whole lot, invoking something broad – the celestial sky, or the cosmologies that we humans tell ourselves to explain the origins of everything.
—John Werner, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
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Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2025
Understanding that light has a finite speed and linking it to the larger realm of electromagnetism helped secure the spacetime distance scale that is a foundation of contemporary cosmology.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
However, even the planes of satellites scientists have confirmed are difficult to explain in the standard model of cosmology.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025
The name itself doesn’t tell you a whole lot, invoking something broad – the celestial sky, or the cosmologies that we humans tell ourselves to explain the origins of everything.
—John Werner, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmology
Cite this Entry
“Cosmology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmology. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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