astronaut
AS-truh-nawt
/ˈæstrənɔːt/
A person who is trained to travel in a spacecraft.
Specifically refers to space travelers from the US, Europe, Canada, or Japan. Russian space travelers are called 'cosmonauts,' and Chinese space travelers are 'taikonauts.'
The story behind the word. The word 'astronaut' is a beautiful blend of Greek roots: `astron`, meaning 'star,' and `nautēs`, meaning 'sailor.' So, an astronaut is literally a 'star sailor.' This term was coined in the early 20th century, long before humans actually ventured into space, anticipating the day when we would navigate the cosmic seas.
Word relationships
- cosmonaut: A Russian space traveler.
- taikonaut: A Chinese space traveler.
- space traveler: A more general term, not necessarily implying professional training.
Collocations
- NASA astronaut
- rookie astronaut
- veteran astronaut
- female astronaut
- future astronaut
Example sentences
- "The astronaut performed a spacewalk to repair the external solar panels of the International Space Station." Describing space missions.
- "Neil Armstrong was the first astronaut to walk on the Moon." Historical achievement.
Memory hook
An ASTROnaut is like a sailor (NAUT) who sails among the ASTROs (stars). ASTRONAUT = star sailor.
When not to use
While 'space traveler' is a general term, 'astronaut' is specific to those trained for space missions, not just anyone who might hypothetically travel to space.
Fun facts
- The first woman in space was Valentina Tereshkova, a Soviet cosmonaut.
- Astronauts experience microgravity, which can cause bone density loss and muscle atrophy.
Explore more words
voyage, diplomat, profession, expatriate, cosmopolitan, scientist
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