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

The Starship launch system is the biggest and most powerful ever built, with more thrust than the giant Saturn V that propelled the Apollo astronauts to the moon.

From Los Angeles Times

"This research opens possibilities for personalised meal plans for astronauts and individuals living alone on Earth, showcasing VR's potential to explore variations in eating when stressed," she said.

From Science Daily

Last Thursday, astronauts on the Polaris Dawn mission completed a record-setting spacewalk.

From NewsForKids.net

A slim science fiction novel that looks at our “precious and precarious” world through the eyes of six astronauts on the International Space Station has won the 2024 Booker Prize.

From Los Angeles Times

The 136-page long story, which is Harvey's fifth novel, takes place over a single day in the life of six astronauts and cosmonauts.

From BBC

Related Words

• cosmonaut
• pilot