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

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Remarkably, the rare event—called an occultation by astronomers—occurred just as Mars reached its closest to Earth since December 2022. —

Jamie Carter, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 In 2019, astronomer Britt Lundgren of the University of North Carolina Asheville visited the Guggenheim Museum in New York City to take in an exhibit of the works of Swedish painter Hilma af Klint. —

Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2025 Yes, but: Some astronomers and stargazers are worried that the ever-increasing amount of satellites and space junk in low Earth orbit could mar our views of the night sky — perhaps forever. —

Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025 This will be done by creating artificial solar eclipses and while this is exciting for astronomers, the solar eclipses will not be visible to people on Earth. —

Chandelis Duster, NPR, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for astronomer

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of astronomer was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century