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

Radar can help astronomers study the physical properties of the asteroids, including their shapes, sizes, rotation states, surface features like roughness, and radar reflectivity. —Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 14 May 2025

About 20 miles from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (just 3.5 hours on The CAT high-speed car ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine) is the Deep Sky Eye Observatory, where legally blind astronomer Tim Doucette will share his unique gift at the telescope (hint: his eyes see what only space telescopes can). —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

In fact, astronomers have discovered a number of exoplanets like this. —Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025

Starlink’s massive constellation—now up to 7,400 working satellites in orbits about 350 miles up, per the count maintained by astronomer Jonathan McDowell—surprised me with only one noticeable hiccup, a Speedtest error that interrupted one test in that app. —Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025

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

Rhymes for astronomer

• ionomer
• monomer