astrology

noun

as·​trol·​o·​gy ə-ˈsträ-lə-jē 

1

: the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects

2

archaic : astronomy

astrological

ˌa-strə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

astrologically

ˌa-strə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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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 astrology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In our charts, the South Node of Destiny, known as Ketu in Vedic astrology, presents itself in the sister sign and same degree of the North Node placement. —Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 9 Jan. 2025

Venus is the planet of love, beauty and values in astrology. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025

Advertisement Also, read the profile of Danielle Johnson: A celebrated L.A. astrology influencer’s stunning fall from ‘healer’ to solar eclipse killer 5 For Subscribers Protest violence outside L.A. synagogue spurs widespread condemnation. —Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024

In astrology, these North Node guides the collective toward what they’re meant to embrace more of, while the South Node shows the collective what they’re meant to let go of. —Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English astrologie "study of celestial bodies, prediction by observing the configuration of celestial bodies," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French astrologie, borrowed from Latin astrologia "study of celestial bodies," borrowed from Greek astrología, from astro- astro- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

astrology

noun

as·​trol·​o·​gy ə-ˈsträl-ə-jē 

: the study of the supposed influences of the stars on human affairs by their positions in relation to each other

astrologer

-jər

noun

astrological

ˌas-trə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

astrologically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb