Astronaut
/ˈæs.trə.nɔːt/noun
A person trained to travel in space.
Did you know?Astronaut was coined in the 20th century from Greek roots, but the same star-root appears in words tied to astrology and celestial signs, which is why it still feels cosmic.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂stḗr
“star”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀστήρ (astḗr)
“star”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ναύτης (naútēs)
“sailor, seaman”
19th Century
French/English
astronaute / astronaut
“a proposed or coined term for a space traveler”
20th Century
English
astronaut
“a person trained to travel in space”