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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Hundreds of scientists cycle through every year to study the perils of collapsing ice caps, the mating habits of penguins, the deep history of the Earth and the great mysteries of the cosmos.
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But in recent years, data from even farther afield—maps of the cosmos on the grandest scales—suggest that the neutrino might be too light for KATRIN to grasp.
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If the neutrino mass does elude KATRIN, their current understanding of the cosmos will have passed another test.
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Gravitational-wave detectors are going to give us an entirely new view of our place in the cosmos.
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NASA is not content to just hope there's life elsewhere in the cosmos.
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Its authors instead advocate for another scenario—that our universe began not with a bang but with a bounce from a previously contracting cosmos.
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This week's gardening tips: To encourage continued blooming, remove spent flowers from bedding plants, such as marigolds, zinnias, pentas, cosmos, salvia and rudbeckia.
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The Cosmos needed to win to maintain their hopes for the Spring title.
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.
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.
Illustration of cosmos
Origin and Etymology of cosmos
Greek kosmos
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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