Vocabulary›C1›Earth’s natural phenomena›Wonders of the night sky›constellation
nounC1

constellation

/ˌkɑːnstəˈleɪʃən/
Lesson: Wonders of the night sky

A constellation is a group of stars that people see as a pattern in the night sky.

In astronomy, each constellation is also a named area of the sky. More figuratively, a constellation can be a group of related people or things.

Illustration for constellation
EXAMPLES
  • We used a star chart to find the constellation above the horizon.
  • On clear nights, I can recognize that constellation without looking at my phone.
  • The guide showed us how to trace the constellation with our eyes.
SYNONYMS
star pattern
WORD FAMILY
constellate (verb)
GRAMMAR
Countable noun
COMMON COLLOCATIONS
identify a constellationrecognize a constellationa constellation of starsa named constellation
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