astronaut

[as-truh-nawt, -not] / ˈæs trəˌnɔt, -ˌnɒt /

NOUN

space explorer

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cosmonaut pilot

WEAK

moonwalker rocket scientist rocketeer space person star person

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We also saw the debut of Poetic Kinetics’ “Escape Velocity,” a.k.a. the Coachella astronaut, and the mirrored “Reflection Fields” by Phillip K. Smith among the festival’s major art installations.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Former astronaut Charlie Duke, who walked on the Moon in 1972 as part of the Apollo 16 mission, gave the ceremonial wakeup call to the crew.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

In 1968 astronaut Bill Anders made history when he took the now-famous picture Earthrise.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Artemis 2 astronaut Victor Glover, who pilots the Orion spacecraft, said before liftoff this week that eyes were a "magical instrument."

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Jackie Cochran may have thought that she was the obvious choice as the first female astronaut.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson