firmament

noun

fir·​ma·​ment ˈfər-mə-mənt 

1

: the vault or arch of the sky : heavens

Stars twinkled in the firmament.

2

obsolete : basis

3

: the field or sphere of an interest or activity

the international fashion firmament

She's a rising star in the city's artistic firmament.

firmamental

ˌfər-mə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

adjective

Synonyms

• blue
• heaven(s)
• high
• sky
• welkin

Examples of firmament in a Sentence

meteors flashing across the firmament

the stars in the firmament twinkled ever so brightly

Recent Examples on the Web

Her take on her hit, performed from a stage set like a messy bedsit, complete with washing machine, was the night’s most compelling musical moment and confirmation of a bright new star in the dimming U.K. firmament. —Mark Sutherland, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025

Prices are, accordingly, among the highest in the steakhouse firmament, though slightly lower than those at The Grill and Bourbon Steak. —John Mariani, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Any conversation about living legends still shining in the celestial firmament must include chart-smashing polymath Ms. Ross. —Eric Webb, Austin American-Statesman, 28 Feb. 2024

Two high-profile celebrity marriages and plenty of box office hits later, Moore's place in Hollywood's firmament is indisputable. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin firmamentum, from Latin, support, from firmare

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

firmament

noun

fir·​ma·​ment ˈfər-mə-mənt 

: the arch of the sky : heavens