astrology

noun

as·​trol·​o·​gy ə-ˈsträ-lə-jē How to pronounce astrology (audio)
1
: the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects
2
archaic : astronomy
astrological adjective
astrologically adverb

Did you know?

The Difference Between Astronomy and Astrology

Some may find it easy to confuse astronomy and astrology. At one time, these two words actually were synonymous (that is, astronomy once meant what astrology means today), but they have since moved apart from each other. In current use, astronomy is concerned with “the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere,” while astrology is the purported divination of how stars and planets influence our lives. Put bluntly, astronomy is a science, and astrology is not.

Examples of astrology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Because Musgraves is a country star who ultimately believes in Willie Nelson more than astrology, tarot or Goop. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Elsa Schiaparelli was known for embracing surrealism and avant-garde elements in her designs, as well as motifs that highlighted her love of astronomy and astrology; her famed 1938 Zodiac collection included a stunning cape embroidered with celestial objects. Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 During the Italian Renaissance, medicine was a strange brew of philosophy, nature worship, alchemy, astrology, and herbology. Norman Weinstein, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 And Terence, who’s very much into the stars, got his [astrology] book out and had a look at me and said, ‘This is a sign. Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024 The astronomy and astrology section that follows features illustrations of the stars, the sun, and the moon alongside several zodiac signs. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024 What are the key traits of a Pisces? Pisces is ruled by two planets — Neptune in modern astrology and Jupiter in traditional astrology. Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 18 Feb. 2024 Year of the Dragon: In the Feb. 4 Weekend section, an article about what to expect from the Year of the Dragon said the dragon’s rival is the goat in Chinese astrology. Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2024 The millennial generation’s elevation of astrology is well documented but the #manifest hashtag, with its whopping 26 billion views on TikTok, shows the next phase of mysticism’s evolution: A belief that financial fortunes and fates can arise seemingly out of your own mind. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'astrology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English astrologie "study of celestial bodies, prediction by observing the configuration of celestial bodies," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French astrologie, borrowed from Latin astrologia "study of celestial bodies," borrowed from Greek astrología, from astro- astro- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of astrology was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near astrology

Cite this Entry

“Astrology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astrology. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

astrology

noun
as·​trol·​o·​gy ə-ˈsträl-ə-jē How to pronounce astrology (audio)
: the study of the supposed influences of the stars on human affairs by their positions in relation to each other
astrologer
-jər
noun
astrological adjective
astrologically adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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