astronomy
noun
Did you know?
The Difference Between Astronomy and Astrology
Some may find it easy to confuse astronomy and astrology. At one time, these two words actually were synonymous (that is, astronomy once meant what astrology means today), but they have since moved apart from each other. In current use, astronomy is concerned with “the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere,” while astrology is the purported divination of how stars and planets influence our lives. Put bluntly, astronomy is a science, and astrology is not.
Examples of astronomy in a Sentence
Briley Lewis, Popular Science, 25 Apr. 2024
In November, a novel approach developed years ago by Priyamvada Natarajan brought us closer to understanding a basic mystery in astronomy: How do the supermassive black holes that lurk at the centers of most galaxies form?
—Shep Doeleman, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Droves of astronomy adherents huddled together in the grassy space by the historic Hill County Courthouse as totality neared.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024
So how, specifically, has astronomy informed the traditions of Ramadan, and how has that changed over time?
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
The celestial phenomenon is said to be a beautiful sight, but will astronomy lovers and visitors to Kentucky actually be able to see it?
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Apr. 2024
For those of us who don't remember astronomy, that means the moon will pass between the sun and the earth, completely blocking it.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Now a student at a major research university, he’s been channeling this interest into the study of physics and astronomy.
—Leslie Camhi, Travel + Leisure, 30 Mar. 2024
How an eclipse can inspire a career in the sciences
Thomas Hockey, a professor of astronomy at the University of Northern Iowa, remembers his first eclipse experience fondly.
—Lee V. Gaines, NPR, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'astronomy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near astronomy
Cite this Entry
“Astronomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astronomy. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
astronomy
noun
Share