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

Midnight is typically the best time to see them, because the Taurus constellation is high in the sky at the time, Cooke said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024

Along with the winter constellations Jupiter and Mars are on the rise! —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 3 Nov. 2024

Above the planet will be bright star Vega in the constellation Lyra. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

Tyler teased the track ahead of the album’s release just over a week ago, introducing this latest sonic palette: a familiar constellation of sounds that arrives with a level of precision that seems final, as if Tyler’s now seen his signature sound to completion. —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 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