cosmology
noun
cos·mol·o·gy käz-ˈmä-lə-jē 
plural cosmologies
1
a
: a branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of the universe
b
: a theory or doctrine describing the natural order of the universe
2
: a branch of astronomy that deals with the origin, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe
also : a theory dealing with these matters
cosmological
ˌkäz-mə-ˈlä-ji-kəl
adjective cosmologically
ˌkäz-mə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē
adverb cosmologist
käz-ˈmä-lə-jist
noun 
Did you know?
Cosmology and Star Trek
Most religions and cultures include some kind of cosmology to explain the nature of the universe. In modern astronomy, the leading cosmology is still the Big Bang theory, which claims that the universe began with a huge explosion that sent matter and energy spreading out in all directions. One reason why fans watch Star Trek is for the various cosmologies depicted in the show, including different conceptions of space, time, and the meaning of life.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The sins Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler committed together on this show are enough to bar either of them from the pearly gates of this particular cosmology, never mind the ones Jimmy committed as Saul Goodman. 
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2022 These new telescopes, Riess anticipates, are about to usher in the third generation of precision cosmology. Anil Ananthaswamy, Scientific American, 18 Apr. 2022 Perhaps some postdoctoral researcher is out there now who will help write the next chapters in theoretical cosmology. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 30 Aug. 2021 For her, cosmology is like philosophy, but with data. Rebecca Boyle, Quanta Magazine, 5 Nov. 2020 How will the Webb telescope change astronomy and cosmology? Quanta Magazine, 18 May 2022 Or maybe twenty years is enough time to orient oneself to the band’s unique cosmology. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2022 Are the patterns decorative, an abstract cosmology, or a first step toward realistic representation? Dominic Green, WSJ, 27 Apr. 2022 Others believe they were used as points of observation related to cosmology and astronomy. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 21 Mar. 2022 See More
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2022 These new telescopes, Riess anticipates, are about to usher in the third generation of precision cosmology. Anil Ananthaswamy, Scientific American, 18 Apr. 2022 Perhaps some postdoctoral researcher is out there now who will help write the next chapters in theoretical cosmology. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 30 Aug. 2021 For her, cosmology is like philosophy, but with data. Rebecca Boyle, Quanta Magazine, 5 Nov. 2020 How will the Webb telescope change astronomy and cosmology? Quanta Magazine, 18 May 2022 Or maybe twenty years is enough time to orient oneself to the band’s unique cosmology. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2022 Are the patterns decorative, an abstract cosmology, or a first step toward realistic representation? Dominic Green, WSJ, 27 Apr. 2022 Others believe they were used as points of observation related to cosmology and astronomy. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 21 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin cosmologia, from Greek kosmos — see cosmic + New Latin -logia -logy
First Known Use
circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a