constellation
noun
con·stel·la·tion
ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən 
1
: the configuration of stars especially at one's birth
2
: any of 88 arbitrary configurations of stars or an area of the celestial sphere covering one of these configurations
the constellation Orion
3
: an assemblage, collection, or group of usually related persons, qualities, or things
… a constellation of … relatives, friends, and hangers-on …—
Brendan Gill
Brendan Gilla constellation of symptoms
4
: pattern, arrangement
… taking advantage of the shifting constellation of power throughout the known world.—H. D. Lasswell
H. D. LasswellExamples of constellation in a Sentence
The constellation Ursa Major contains the stars of the Big Dipper.
A large constellation of relatives and friends attended the funeral.
The patient presented a constellation of symptoms.
Recent Examples on the Web
Payloads included two satellites for the Missile Defense Agency to track hypersonic missiles and four more satellites for the Tranche 0 constellation for the Space Development Agency.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
The dramatic fading of this star, located around 3,200 light-years away in the Monoceros constellation, was first spotted at the end of 2024.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
This transformation has been fueled by rapid advances in sensor technology, falling launch costs to Low Earth Orbit, and artificial intelligence systems capable of processing the massive streams of imagery these constellations now produce.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
And a whole constellation of local institutions and community groups is eyeing the three-story brick headhouse for office space.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constellation
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Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
The dramatic fading of this star, located around 3,200 light-years away in the Monoceros constellation, was first spotted at the end of 2024.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
This transformation has been fueled by rapid advances in sensor technology, falling launch costs to Low Earth Orbit, and artificial intelligence systems capable of processing the massive streams of imagery these constellations now produce.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
And a whole constellation of local institutions and community groups is eyeing the three-story brick headhouse for office space.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constellation
Cite this Entry
“Constellation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constellation. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
constellation
noun
con·stel·la·tion
ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən
: any of 88 groups of stars forming patterns
Etymology
Middle English constellacioun "the position of the stars in the sky at the time of a person's birth," from early French constellation (same meaning), from Latin con-, com- "with" and stella "star"
Medical Definition
constellation
noun
con·stel·la·tion
ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən
: a set of ideas, conditions, symptoms, or traits that fall into or appear to fall into a pattern: as
a
: a group of stimulus conditions or factors affecting personality and behavior development
the way in which family constellation and handling of punishment influenced this particular boy—S. B. Sarason
S. B. Sarason
b
: a group of behavioral or personality traits
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