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 astronomicalnext
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

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of astronomical in a Sentence

The cost of the office building was astronomical. We got an astronomical telephone bill this month.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And for those who depend on produce and other items from China, the astronomical tariffs on Chinese goods will have an even greater impact. — Allison Cho, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025 For instance, a trans person is more likely to be attacked, but for a Black trans person, the numbers are astronomical. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025 But even if another team offers him a second year at money that isn’t astronomical, a strong case could be made for the Heat to match. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025 But the marketing potential from producing a tire that can prevail in the wildly variable conditions of the Moon are astronomical. — James Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025 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

See All Rhymes for astronomical

Browse Nearby Words

Astronomer Royal
astronomical
astronomical clock
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Astronomical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astronomical. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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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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