astronomical

adjective

as·​tro·​nom·​i·​cal ˌa-strə-ˈnä-mi-kəl How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
variants or less commonly astronomic
ˌa-strə-ˈnä-mik How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
Synonyms of astronomical
1
: of or relating to astronomy
astronomical observations
2
: enormously or inconceivably large or great
astronomical numbers
an astronomical price
astronomically
ˌa-strə-ˈnä-mi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of astronomical

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Examples of astronomical in a Sentence

The cost of the office building was astronomical. We got an astronomical telephone bill this month.
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since the 1970s, leap seconds have also been doing the job of correcting the imbalance between astronomical time and the ultraprecise atomic clocks that now set the global standard. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 The borrowing binge by AI hyperscalers and their astronomical capital spending plans raised more red flags. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 Right now, speaking to friends and family in Iran, yes, prices are astronomical, but there are no serious shortages. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 In subsequent years, research stations operated by Japan, China, France and Italy have also constructed increasingly large optical telescopes to observe astronomical objects, including stars and planets. — Daniella McCahey, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for astronomical

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin astronomicus "of or relating to astronomy" (borrowed from Greek astronomikós "of astronomy, skilled in astronomy," from astronomía astronomy + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of astronomical was in 1551

Phrases Containing astronomical

Rhymes for astronomical

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Browse Nearby Words

Astronomer Royal
astronomical
astronomical clock
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Cite this Entry

“Astronomical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astronomical. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

astronomical

adjective
as·​tro·​nom·​i·​cal ˌas-trə-ˈnäm-i-kəl How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
variants also astronomic
-ˈnäm-ik How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
1
: of or relating to astronomy
2
: extremely or unbelievably large
the cost was astronomical
astronomically
-ˈnäm-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
adverb
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