Definition of cosmos
1a : universe 1b (1) : an orderly harmonious systematic universe — compare chaos (2) : order, harmony
2 : a complex orderly self-inclusive system
3 plural cosmos\ˈkäz-məs, -məz\ also cosmosesplay \ˈkäz-mə-səz\ [New Latin, genus name, from Greek kosmos] : any of a genus (Cosmos) of tropical American composite herbs; especially : a widely cultivated tall annual (C. bipinnatus) with yellow or red disks and showy ray flowers
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Examples of cosmos in a Sentence
the origins of the cosmos
an essay that ponders the place of humankind in the vast cosmos
Recent Examples of cosmos from the Web
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On Earth, everything alive evolved within the framework of gravity and under the protection of the planet’s magnetic field, which deflects most of the high-energy cosmic particles that hurtle through the cosmos.
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The chorale that immediately follows, amped by images of the cosmos on the screens, is one of the high points of the show.
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Still, Herzog, who takes movies more seriously than anyone in the universe, is genuinely interested in how our notions of the cosmos frame our notions of time and life.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cosmos'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Cosmos often simply means "universe". But the word is generally used to suggest an orderly or harmonious universe, as it was originally used by Pythagoras in the 6th century B.C. Thus, a religious mystic may help put us in touch with the cosmos, and so may a physicist. The same is often true of the adjective cosmic: Cosmic rays (really particles rather than rays) bombard us from outer space, but cosmic questions come from human attempts to find order in the universe.
Illustration of cosmos
Origin and Etymology of cosmos
Greek kosmos
First Known Use: 1596
COSMOS Defined for English Language Learners
cosmos
playDefinition of cosmos for English Language Learners
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the cosmos : the universe especially when it is understood as an ordered system
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: a tall plant that has usually white, pink, or red flowers
COSMOS Defined for Kids
cosmos
playDefinition of cosmos for Students
1 : the universe especially as thought of as an orderly system
2 : a tall garden plant related to the daisies that has showy white, pink, or rose-colored flower heads
Learn More about cosmos
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See words that rhyme with cosmos Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cosmos Spanish Central: Translation of cosmos Nglish: Translation of cosmos for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cosmos for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cosmos
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