sidereal
Americanadjective
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determined by or from the stars.
sidereal time.
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of or relating to the stars.
adjective
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of, relating to, or involving the stars
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determined with reference to one or more stars
the sidereal day
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Relating to the stars or constellations.
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Measured with respect to the background of fixed stars instead of the Sun.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sidereal
1625–35; < Latin sīdere ( us ) of, belonging to the stars ( sīder-, stem of sīdus star, constellation + -eus adj. suffix) + -al 1
Compare meaning
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Explanation
Far out, man. I mean really far out — as in related to the distant stars of the universe. That's what sidereal means. Sidereal is an adjective that first popped up in the 17th century, and stems from the Latin word sidereus, which means "star." Anything that's sidereal has something to do with stars and constellations. And if you measure the days and weeks by the movement of the stars across the sky, that's called sidereal astronomy or sidereal time. But if you've got someplace to be, you'd be better off with a good calendar and a wristwatch.
Vocabulary lists containing sidereal
From Ascension to Zenith: Astronomy and Stargazing Terms
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Quiz yourself on these words spoken by the man at the center of the "Laurel" / "Yanny" craze!
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Society and Solitude
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By looking at the diagram furnished you when we were talking of Sidereal Time, all this becomes perfectly clear.
From Lectures in Navigation by Draper, Ernest Gallaudet
In the animal kingdom, this semi-material body is called Evestrum, and in human beings it is called the Sidereal Man.
From The Best Psychic Stories by Various
Sidereal noon is when we have turned ourselves under the point where the sun crosses the equator in March, called the vernal equinox.
From Recreations in Astronomy With Directions for Practical Experiments and Telescopic Work by Warren, Henry White
Wherein also is handled the Existence of Angels and Spirits, the Truth of Apparitions, the Nature of Astral and Sidereal Spirits, the Force of Charms and Philters; with other Abstruse Matters.
From Witch, Warlock, and Magician Historical Sketches of Magic and Witchcraft in England and Scotland by Adams, W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport)
This can be secured by using any one of the three formulas given you in Week III - Thursday's Lecture on Sidereal Time and Right Ascension.
From Lectures in Navigation by Draper, Ernest Gallaudet
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
