astronaut

[ as-truh-nawt, -not ]

noun

1. a person engaged in or trained for spaceflight.

astronaut

/ ˈæstrəˌnɔːt /

noun

1. a person trained for travelling in space See also cosmonaut

astronaut

1. A crew member of a space mission launched by the United States. ( See Apollo program and Mercury program .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of astronaut¹

1925–30; astro- + (aero)naut, probably via French astronaute; astronautical

Word History and Origins

Origin of astronaut¹

C20: from astro- + -naut from Greek nautēs sailor, on the model of aeronaut

Example Sentences

And during the Radio 1 Breakfast show, the businessman got in touch with Greg to suggest starting with an "astronaut experience" for the crew.

From BBC

Additionally, there are two support members referred to as Crew Member Seven: one provides continuous guidance to astronauts, while the other maintains communication from the control room during the mission.

From BBC

Amazon MGM showed off many other films, including Ryan Gosling's space epic Project Hail Mary in which he play's a reluctant astronaut tasked with saving humanity.

From BBC

Every time an Apollo astronaut walked off the moon and into his spacecraft, he tracked a load of dust with him.

From Salon

All of this is why astronauts go up to space in tip-top physical condition.

From BBC

Related Words

• cosmonaut
• pilot