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Definition of cosmonaut

cosmonaut

/ˈkɑːz.məˌnɔːt/
cos · mo · naut
Plural:cosmonauts
•
Adjective:cosmonautic
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cosmonaut Lexical Profile

cosmonaut Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An astronaut, especially one trained and certified by the Russian or former Soviet space program.

Example

"In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cosmonaut

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'astronaut' is the general English term for a spacefarer, 'cosmonaut' is specifically used for those trained and certified by the Russian (or formerly Soviet) space agency, and 'taikonaut' is used for Chinese spacefarers.

• Nearby Words

cosmo
cosmologist
cosmology
cosmonaut
cosmopolitan
cosmos
cosplay

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-20th century from Russian 'kosmonavt', formed from Ancient Greek 'kosmos' (universe, order) and 'nautēs' (sailor).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cosmonaut. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cosmonaut
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