cosmogony

American  

[koz-mog-uh-nee] / kɒzˈmɒg ə ni /

noun

plural

cosmogonies

1. a theory or story of the origin and development of the universe, the solar system, or the earth-moon system.

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cosmogony British  

/ kɒzˈmɒɡənɪ, ˌkɒzməˈɡɒnɪk /

noun

1. the study of the origin and development of the universe or of a particular system in the universe, such as the solar system

2. a theory of such an origin or evolution

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cosmogony Scientific  

/ kŏz-mŏg′ə-nē /

1. The branch of cosmology that studies the origin of the universe and the larger objects found within it, such as the solar system.

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Other Word Forms

• cosmogonal adjective
• cosmogonic adjective
• cosmogonical adjective
• cosmogonist noun

Etymology

Origin of cosmogony

First recorded in 1860–65, cosmogony is from the Greek word kosmogonía creation of the world. See cosmo-, -gony

Compare meaning

How does cosmogony compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cosmology vs. cosmogony

Example Sentences

While myth is fiction posing as history and cosmogony, its function is to connect humans with the divine.

From Washington Post

Our new theory of “cosmogony,” in contrast with the multiverse idea, makes definite predictions, which should in time enable it to be tested—at least to some extent.

From Scientific American

“Glacial cosmogony,” as it was also known, maintained that “icy moons had crashed into the earth,” causing floods and geophysical damage, but also bringing “living kernels” from outer space that would evolve into Aryan superbeings.

From Washington Post

“Voyage of Time” is, as its title suggests, a sort of cinematic cosmogony, a lyrical collage that looks at a broad spectrum of natural phenomena artistically and imaginatively.

From The New Yorker

No worries, the director of the Harvard College Observatory rejoined: Such a weird, far-flung object could be “perhaps of greater importance in cosmogony” than another run-of-the-mill planet would.

From Science Magazine