# astronomy

/əˈstɹɑnəmi/ (US) · /ɐstɹˈɒnəmi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/astronomy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. scientific study of space

noun · CEFR B1

the scientific study of the stars, planets, and other objects in the universe.

For teachers: the scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena, including the physics, chemistry, and evolution of the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere.

- He spent his childhood reading books about astronomy and looking at the moon through a telescope.
- Advances in radio astronomy have allowed researchers to observe distant galaxies that remain invisible to traditional optical telescopes.

### 2. astrology

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for astrology, which is the belief that stars affect people's lives.

For teachers: a historical synonym for astrology, referring to the divination of supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs.

- In very old books, the word astronomy sometimes meant predicting the future by the stars.
- In certain Renaissance texts, the distinction between astronomy and astrology was blurred, with the former often encompassing the practice of casting horoscopes.

Teaching tip: This sense is archaic; modern speakers strictly distinguish between the science of astronomy and the pseudoscience of astrology.

## Examples

- She decided to study astronomy to learn about the solar system.
- Advances in telescope technology have allowed the field of astronomy to observe galaxies billions of light-years away.
- While ancient civilizations used astronomy primarily for navigation and timekeeping, modern researchers utilize it to probe the fundamental laws of physics through the observation of distant black holes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.