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

The comet was discovered by Australian amateur astronomer Michael Mattiazzo in late March. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Amateur astronomers can also spot a plethora of planets and a full moon during select cloud-free nights. —Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Its authors include astronomer Johannes Kepler and Galileo, as well as philosophers across centuries, from Erasmus and René Descartes to feminist Simone de Beauvoir and existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre. —Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025

Within its first decade, astronomers expect to have tracked at least 90%, Mainzer said. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 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