sign of the zodiac

American  

[sahyn uhv thuh zoh-dee-ak] / ˈsaɪn əv ðə ˈzoʊ diˌæk /

noun

Astrology.

1. one of the twelve constellations along the apparent annual path of the sun in the sky.

2. (in contemporary Western astrology) one of the twelve divisions of the sun's apparent annual path in the sky, each representing a constellation under which a person can be born and which is said to influence or correlate with certain aspects of their life, personality, etc.

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sign of the zodiac British  

noun

1. Also called: sign.   star sign.   sun sign.  any of the 12 equal areas, 30° wide, into which the zodiac can be divided, named after the 12 zodiacal constellations. In astrology, it is thought that a person's psychological type and attitudes to life can be correlated with the sign in which the sun lay at the moment of his birth, with the ascendant sign, and to a lesser extent with the signs in which other planets lay at this time See also planet house

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Etymology

Origin of sign of the zodiac

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

We see a potent metaphor for the fourth sign of the zodiac in the Mono Silver Zeug cutlery set — a shiny smattering of tools for that sacred source of comfort: eating.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2024

A complete horoscope shows the location of not only the Sun, but also the Moon and each planet in the sky by indicating its position in the appropriate sign of the zodiac.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

A “Character Chart” at the front of the book indicates 12 “stellar” characters, each associated with a sign of the zodiac and a location representing one of the astrological houses.

From Slate • Oct. 11, 2013

A 565-pound disco ball encased in a glittering sun sculpture hung above the musicians, while giant glowing spheres representing each sign of the zodiac circled the dance floor.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2010

“A constellation, a sign of the zodiac, or a person born under that sign,” said Sticky.

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart