spacesuit

American  

[speys-soot] / ˈspeɪsˌsut /

Or space suit

noun

1. a sealed and pressurized suit designed to allow the wearer to leave a pressurized cabin in outer space or at extremely high altitudes within the atmosphere.

---

spacesuit British  

/ ˈspeɪsˌsuːt, -ˌsjuːt /

noun

1. any of various types of sealed and pressurized suits worn by astronauts or cosmonauts that provide an artificial atmosphere, acceptable temperature, radiocommunication link, and protection from radiation for work outside a spacecraft

---

Etymology

Origin of spacesuit

First recorded in 1935–40; space + suit

Explanation

The specially pressurized garment an astronaut wears is a spacesuit. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first walked on the moon, they were wearing spacesuits. The word spacesuit first appeared in print around 1920, long before astronauts were actually wearing them during space travel in the 1960s. These are suits worn in space, but they're not just outfits but are designed to keep people alive in the harsh conditions of outer space, including extreme temperatures and air pressure. Spacesuits also have their own supply of oxygen and a communication system. If you're traveling to Mars, you'll definitely need a spacesuit for the trip.

Example Sentences

In these recordings, you can hear the back-and-forth chatter, along with the astronaut’s breathing and the background noise of their spacesuit pumping oxygen into their helmet to keep them alive.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2025

The team tested a preliminary version on healthy subjects who also volunteered to wear a constrictive garment similar to an astronaut's spacesuit.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2024

He celebrated a goal with Ted Lasso, slipped on a spacesuit for “Interstellar” and appeared onstage with David Byrne.

From New York Times • Nov. 29, 2023

From re-creating the insurrection to putting Reese Witherspoon in a spacesuit, The Morning Show is really “firing on all cylinders of crazy,” David Mack writes.

From Slate • Nov. 8, 2023

It didn’t help that he was wearing the spacesuit.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti