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

a constellation of symptoms

4

: pattern, arrangement

… taking advantage of the shifting constellation of power throughout the known world.

—H. D. Lasswell

constellatory

kən-ˈste-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• array
• assemblage
• band
• bank
• batch
• battery
• block
• bunch
• clot
• clump
• cluster
• clutch
• collection
• group
• grouping
• huddle
• knot
• lot
• muster
• package
• parcel
• passel
• set
• suite

Examples 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

Located in the constellation Aquila the eagle, Gaia BH3 was uncovered by chance in a mass of data and observations collected by European Space Agency (ESA) astronomers. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024

Lyra is a smaller constellation but can easily be found by looking for the star Vega, the fifth-brightest star in our sky and the second brightest in the Northern Hemisphere. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024

Saturday evening’s Michelin-Star Showcase featured Oceanside’s breakout Mexican restaurant Valle, helmed by Roberto Alcocer, which is only one of five restaurants in San Diego to capture a constellation. —Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Apr. 2024

But as Israel’s military response intensified and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza spiraled, a much broader constellation of more traditional Democratic-leaning organizations, leaders and voters began to engage. —Sheera Frenkel, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024

The optimal viewing window is usually in the early morning hours after midnight when the radiant point of the shower, near the constellation Aquarius, is higher in the sky. —The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

As satellites pass overhead, their lights leave long streaks in telescope images; groups of satellites working together, known as constellations, pose a more vexing problem. —Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024

Lyra’s brightest star—and one of the brightest stars in the sky, period—is Vega, which can make the constellation easy to find. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024

At 600 light years away, the red supergiant Betelgeuse in the constellation of Orion is the nearest massive star getting close to the end of its life. —Chris Impey, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English constellacioun, from Anglo-French constellation, from Late Latin constellation-, constellatio, from Latin com- + stella star — more at star

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

b

: a group of behavioral or personality traits