astronomer

noun

as·tron·o·mer ə-ˈsträ-nə-mər

: a person who is skilled in astronomy or who makes observations of celestial phenomena

Examples of astronomer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Every other chorus wave astronomers have heard started closer to home, within about 31,690 miles (51,000 kilometers) of Earth. —

Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025 To rate its destructive potential, astronomers use something called the Torino Scale. —

Scott Neuman, NPR, 2 Feb. 2025 View the aurora borealis from a geothermal hot tub outside of your room or on dry land with the hotel’s on-site astronomer. —

Jamie Davis Smith, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025 Chodas added that the actual size of the asteroid, which astronomers are trying to determine with follow-up observations using multiple telescopes, is currently highly uncertain. —

Ashley Strickland, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for astronomer

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "one versed in astronomy or astrology," from astronomie astronomy + -er -er entry 2

Note: Alternatively, Oxford English Dictionary, third edition, and Middle English Dictionary see the English word as derived from Medieval and Late Latin astronomus "astronomer" (borrowed from Greek astronómos) plus the agent suffix -er.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of astronomer was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century