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REFERENCE

celestial

adj. · n.
US //səˈɫɛstʃəɫ// UK //səlˈɛstjəl// ce·les·tial
  1. 1 astronomical (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Science

    relating to the sky or outer space, especially the stars and planets.

    pertaining to the sky or visible heaven; relating to the sun, moon, stars, and planets as astronomical objects.

    Example

    Ancient sailors used celestial bodies like the North Star to find their way at sea.

    Example

    The observatory provides an unobstructed view of various celestial phenomena, including meteor showers and planetary alignments.

    Usage

    Often used in technical phrases like 'celestial body' or 'celestial navigation'.
  2. 2 heavenly or divine (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Literary Religion

    related to heaven or a god; extremely beautiful or holy.

    belonging or relating to heaven; divine or supremely good.

    Example

    The choir's voices had a celestial quality that filled the cathedral.

    Example

    The poet describes the goddess descending from her celestial throne to intervene in the affairs of mortals.
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  1. 3 a heavenly being (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary Archaic Religion

    a being that lives in heaven, such as an angel.

    an inhabitant of heaven or the spiritual realm.

    Example

    In the old story, celestials looked down from the clouds to watch over the city.

    Example

    The epic poem depicts a war between the celestials and the fallen spirits for control of the higher realms.
Origin

From Middle English celestial, from Old French celestial, from Medieval Latin caelestialis, from Latin caelestis, from caelum (“sky, heaven”). The meanings related to East Asia come from Celestial Empire, a former name of China.

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