Search Dictionary
Definition of aster
aster
/ˈæs.tər/
as · ter
Plural:asters
aster Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
A plant of the daisy family (Asteraceae), typically bearing bright, star-shaped flowers with yellow centers, native primarily to Eurasia and North America.
Example
"We planted a vibrant border of purple asters that bloomed beautifully in the late summer garden."
2
A star-shaped cellular structure consisting of a centrosome and its associated microtubules during the early stages of mitosis in an animal cell.
Example
"During cell division, the aster helps position the spindle apparatus to ensure that chromosomes separate correctly into the daughter cells."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for aster• Rhymes for aster
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'aster' (star), borrowed from Ancient Greek 'ἀστήρ' (astḗr, 'star'), named for the radiating, star-like shape of the flower's petals.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Aster. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/aster