cosmos

noun

cos·mos | \ ˈkäz-məs

, senses 1 & 2 also -ˌmōs, -ˌmäs

Definition of cosmos

1a : universe sense 1

b(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 cosmoses\ 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

Synonyms Cosmos and the Universe Example Sentences Learn More about cosmos

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Cosmos and the Universe

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.

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 on the Web

This week in the cosmos brings subtle, sensitive shifts that will resonant for lifetimes to come. — Bess Matassa, Teen Vogue, "Weekly Horoscopes July 2-8," 29 June 2018 In addition to a resplendent showcase of jewelry pieces and a musical performance by Jackson and His Computerband, guests were fully immersed in the cosmos via a brilliant experiential dinner. — Catherine Scott, Vogue, "Cartier Launches a New Jewelry Collection With an Out of This World Dinner Party," 25 Jan. 2019 But from the ashes of that 2016 mishap came a showdown between the new pioneer of space, SpaceX, versus the old vanguard of the cosmos, NASA. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "SpaceX and NASA Reach Agreement on Astronaut Safety," 20 Aug. 2018 These remnants would help bridge incompatible theories of the cosmos at its largest and smallest scales, as well as possibly constitute a sizable portion of the presently unaccounted-for dark matter. — Adam Hadhazy, Discover Magazine, "Scientists Hunt for A Seeming Paradox: A Magnet With Only One Pole," 13 Nov. 2018 What is the meaning of my little slice of time in the context of the whole history of the cosmos? — Hans Aschim, Harper's BAZAAR, "Three Women in Science Who Broke the Glass Ceiling," 5 Oct. 2018 Among flowers, good bets are breadseed or ladybird poppies, California poppies, foxglove, nigella, columbine, nicotiana, bachelor’s buttons, cosmos, coreopsis, calendula and scabiosa. — Pam Peirce, SFChronicle.com, "The joy of seed saving," 6 July 2018 The lone explorer has been drifting alone in the cosmos for months now, never to return to Earth. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "SpaceX's Starman Has Passed Beyond the Orbit of Mars," 5 Nov. 2018 Astronomers use the orbiting observatory to peer deep into the cosmos, revealing faraway solar systems as well as galaxies and black holes. — Marcia Dunn, The Seattle Times, "Hubble Space Telescope sidelined by serious pointing failure," 8 Oct. 2018

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.