Astronauts are individuals who are trained to operate spacecraft, conduct research, and perform other activities related to space exploration. They are often regarded as heroes and pioneers, as they push the boundaries of human knowledge and expand our understanding of the universe.
Definitions
The term “astronaut” is derived from the Greek words “astron” (meaning star) and “nautes” (meaning sailor). According to NASA, an astronaut is “a person who is trained to travel in a spacecraft, especially a member of a crew on a manned mission to the moon or Mars.”
Origin
The term “astronaut” was first used in 1929 by the science fiction writer J.D. Ballard. However, it was not until the 1960s that the term became widely used to describe individuals who were trained to travel in space.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of the term “astronaut” is generally consistent across different dictionaries. The Oxford English Dictionary defines an astronaut as “a person who travels into space, especially as a member of a spacecraft crew.”
Associations
Astronauts are often associated with bravery, adventure, and scientific discovery. They are also associated with the exploration of new frontiers and the pursuit of knowledge.
Synonyms
Synonyms for the term “astronaut” include cosmonaut, spaceman, and space traveler.
Antonyms
Antonyms for the term “astronaut” include earthbound and grounded.
The same root words
Words with the same root as “astronaut” include astronomy, astrophysics, and astrobiology.
Example Sentences
- The astronauts trained for months before their mission to the International Space Station.
- Sally Ride was the first American woman to become an astronaut.
- The astronaut conducted experiments on the effects of microgravity on plant growth.
Astronauts are individuals who are trained to travel in spacecraft and conduct research in space. They are associated with bravery, adventure, and scientific discovery, and are often regarded as heroes and pioneers. The term “astronaut” has its roots in Greek and has been used to describe individuals who travel in space since the 1960s.