zodiac
Americannoun
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none the zodiac or the Zodiac an imaginary belt of the heavens, extending about 8° on each side of the ecliptic, within which are the apparent paths of the sun, moon, and principal planets. It contains twelve constellations and hence twelve divisions called signs of the zodiac. Each division, however, because of the precession of the equinoxes, now contains the constellation west of the one from which it took its name.
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a circular or elliptical diagram representing this belt, and usually containing pictures of the animals, human figures, etc., that are associated with the constellations and signs.
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Informal. sign of the zodiac.
I checked out the zodiacs of some of my friends and was surprised at how well the descriptions captured aspects of their personalities.
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a circuit or round.
noun
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an imaginary belt extending 8° either side of the ecliptic, which contains the 12 zodiacal constellations and within which the moon and planets appear to move. It is divided into 12 equal areas, called signs of the zodiac , each named after the constellation which once lay in it See zodiacal constellation
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astrology a diagram, usually circular, representing this belt and showing the symbols, illustrations, etc, associated with each of the 12 signs of the zodiac, used to predict the future
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rare a complete circuit; circle
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A band of the celestial sphere extending about eight degrees north and south of the ecliptic, representing the portion of the sky within which the paths of the Sun, the Moon, and the planets are found. In astrology, the zodiac is divided into 12 equal segments, each of which is named after a constellation through which the ecliptic passes in that region of the sky. The traditional beginning point of constellations is Aries, followed in calendrical order by Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.
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See also equinox
Usage
What does zodiac mean? In astronomy, the zodiac is the band of sky along which the paths of the sun, the moon, and the planets appear to move.The zodiac can be divided into 12 sections, each of which is named after a constellation (called a zodiacal constellation). These include Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius (Scorpio), Sagittarius, and Capricornus (Capricorn).Despite its basis in astronomy, the word zodiac is mainly associated with and most often used in the context of astrology, in which it refers to a diagram (often a circular one) representing this belt and showing the symbols associated with each of the 12 constellations or sections, which are called the signs of the zodiac. Astrology is the nonscientific practice in which the positions of heavenly bodies at certain times are thought to influence or be correlated with human behavior and events. For example, the position of the sun in a particular portion of the zodiac at the moment of a person’s birth is thought to correlate with their personality. This is what people are referring to when they talk about their zodiac sign (or star sign or often just sign). The word horoscope can refer to a diagram of the heavens that maps the relative position of planets and the signs of the zodiac. It can also refer to a prediction based (or said to be based) on such a diagram.The symbols used in Western astrology differ in some other cultures. For example, different ones are used in the Chinese zodiac.Example: Apparently, my wife and I have zodiac signs that are supposed to be very incompatible—oh well, we get along great!
Discover More
The twelve constellations, or signs, of the zodiac are important in astrology.
Other Word Forms
- nonzodiacal adjective
- zodiacal adjective
Etymology
Origin of zodiac
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English zodiaque, from Latin zōdiacus, from Greek zōidiakòs (kýklos) “signal (circle),” from zṓidi(on) “animal sign” ( zô(ion) “animal” + -idion, diminutive suffix) + -akos -ac
Compare meaning
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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.
The Chinese zodiac may have 2026 down as the year of the horse, but we have it down as the year of the Geese.
From BBC
Astrologers consult a national zodiac, palm readers ring pagodas, would-be alchemists attempt to transmute mercury into gold and SIM card companies advertise dial-a-diviners.
From Barron's
Each page lists a character’s name, birth month and year — along with their zodiac sign — and a dated timeline of full body images that tracks how they look at different ages.
From Los Angeles Times
Parton also noted that their zodiac signs were compatible: She’s a Capricorn and he was a Cancer.
From Los Angeles Times
The astrological calendar also begins in spring, with Aries, my sun sign and what is known as the child of the zodiac.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
