astronaut
astronaut
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "astronaut" is /ˈæs.trə.nɔːt/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
æs: /æs/ (as in "ash")
trə: /trə/ (as in "truck" but with a schwa sound for the 'u')
nɔːt: /nɔːt/ (as in "naught" or "caught")
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: astronaut
Plural Noun: astronauts
Adjective: astronautic, astronautical
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A person who has been trained and equipped to travel beyond Earth's atmosphere, especially for the purpose of space exploration, scientific research, or the operation of spacecraft.
Synonyms: cosmonaut, spaceman (dated), spacefarer, voyager (in a space context)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a specific profession/role. One might consider "terrestrial" as a conceptual opposite in terms of location, but not as a direct antonym for the person themselves.)
Definition 2: (Figurative) An individual who exhibits exceptional resilience, adaptability, and courage when navigating entirely new or challenging environments, likened to the demanding nature of space travel.
Synonyms: pioneer, explorer, trailblazer, adventurer
Antonyms: homebody, conformist, coward
Adjective
astronautic / astronautical
Definition 1: Relating to the design, construction, or operation of spacecraft, or to the science and technology of space travel.
Synonyms: aerospace, spacefaring, cosmic, extraterrestrial (in a relevant context)
Antonyms: terrestrial, earthly, ground-based
Definition 2: Characteristic of or pertaining to astronauts or their activities; involving or typical of the challenges and experiences encountered in space.
Synonyms: spatial, celestial, exploratory, adventurous
Antonyms: mundane, ordinary, commonplace
Examples of Use
Books: "In An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, Chris Hadfield shares insights from his remarkable career, emphasizing the importance of preparation and a positive attitude."
Newspapers: "NASA announced yesterday that a new class of astronauts has been selected for future missions to the International Space Station." (The New York Times, June 2024)
Online Publications: "What does it take to become an astronaut? A deep dive into the rigorous training and qualifications required by space agencies worldwide." (Space.com, February 2025)
Entertainment - Film: "The movie Gravity portrays a stranded astronaut fighting for survival after a catastrophic incident in orbit."
Entertainment - Television: "The popular science fiction series For All Mankind explores an alternate history where the space race continues, with new astronauts constantly pushing the boundaries of human exploration."
Entertainment - Video Games: "In Kerbal Space Program, players design and launch rockets, aiming to become virtual astronauts and explore a fictional solar system."
General Public Discourse: "When I was a kid, I always dreamed of becoming an astronaut and seeing Earth from space."
General Public Discourse: "The incredible bravery of the astronauts aboard Apollo 13 is a testament to human ingenuity in the face of adversity."
Online Publications: "Children often look up to astronauts as symbols of courage and scientific advancement, inspiring them to pursue STEM careers." (National Geographic Kids, October 2024)
Newspapers: "Recent debates have focused on the ethical implications of sending astronauts on long-duration missions to Mars." (The Guardian, March 2025)
10 Famous Quotes Using Astronaut
"What everyone in the astronaut corps shares in common is not gender or ethnic background, but motivation, perseverance, and desire - the desire to participate in a voyage of discovery." (Ellen Ochoa)
"As an astronaut, especially during launch, half of the risk of a six-month flight is in the first nine minutes." (Chris Hadfield)
"To become an astronaut is not a question of being the best at something or things coming easy to you, but it's being a person that can work with others and not give up." (Michael J. Massimino)
"Space is for everybody. It's not just for a few people in science or math, or for a select group of astronauts. That's our new frontier out there, and it's everybody's business to know about space." (Christa McAuliffe)
"I thought the attractions of being an astronaut were actually, not so much the Moon, but flying in a completely new medium." (Neil Armstrong)
"From space, you see the fragility of our planet and the urgent need to protect it. We are all astronauts on this spaceship Earth." (Mike Massimino)
"I'd love to go back to space, I don't know any astronaut who doesn't want to." (Helen Sharman)
"My optimism and confidence come not from feeling I'm luckier than other mortals, and they sure don't come from visualizing victory. They're the result of a lifetime spent visualizing defeat and figuring out how to prevent it. Like most astronauts, I'm pretty sure that I can deal with what life throws at me because I've thought about what to do if things go wrong, as well as right. That's the power of negative thinking." (Chris Hadfield)
"Seeing Earth from space was a powerful experience that made me feel connected to all living things on our planet. We must work together to protect our home." (Mae Jemison, quoted as a NASA astronaut)
"The scenery was very beautiful. But I did not see the Great Wall." (Yang Liwei, China's First Astronaut)
Etymology
The word "astronaut" has a very straightforward and descriptive origin, drawing from ancient Greek.
It's essentially a combination of two Greek words:
"Astro" (ἀστήρ / astēr): This means "star." You see this root in many other words like "astronomy" (the study of stars and space) or "astrology" (the belief in the influence of stars).
"Naut" (ναύτης / nautēs): This means "sailor" or "voyager." You find this root in words like "nautical" (related to ships or navigation) or "argonaut" (a sailor on the ship Argo in Greek mythology).
So, when you put them together, "astronaut" literally means "star sailor" or "star voyager."
The first known use of the word, in its modern sense referring to someone who travels in space, appeared in English around 1927. It was coined by a science fiction writer named Neil R. Jones in his short story "The Death's Head Meteor." Before space travel was a reality, the word was used to describe the concept of traveling among the stars.
It gained wider recognition and common use, particularly in the United States, as the space race began in the mid-20th century, especially with the establishment of NASA and the first human spaceflights.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Astronaut
Astronaut's view: To describe a unique, elevated, or detached perspective on a situation, as if looking down from space.
To go full astronaut: To fully commit to a challenging, potentially isolating, or highly specialized endeavor.
An astronaut's dream: Something highly ambitious or seemingly impossible, yet deeply desired by someone.
Astronaut ice cream: Refers to freeze-dried food, often used metaphorically for something bland or highly processed, but functional.
Lonely as an astronaut: To feel extremely isolated or alone, often in a vast and unfamiliar environment.
To train like an astronaut: To undergo extremely rigorous and demanding preparation for a difficult task.
A true space pioneer (using a synonym for "astronaut"): Someone who is a trailblazer in a new and challenging field.
Beyond an astronaut's reach: Something that is currently unattainable or incredibly difficult to achieve.
Floating like an astronaut: Moving with extreme lightness or without apparent effort.
The last astronaut standing: The sole survivor or the only one remaining to face a challenge in a difficult situation.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of astronaut from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
