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

To see the Geminid meteor shower, look toward the northeast, in the direction of the constellation Gemini. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 8 Dec. 2024

The Geminid radiant is in the Gemini constellation. —Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024

The Gemini constellation is marked by two bright stars that represent the head of the Gemini twins. —Ty Roush, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

The meteors appear to originate in the constellation Gemini, hence the name, but will be visible anywhere in the sky. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 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