constellation
noun
con·stel·la·tion
ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən 
1
: the configuration of stars especially at one's birth
2
: any of 88 arbitrary configurations of stars or an area of the celestial sphere covering one of these configurations
the constellation Orion
3
: an assemblage, collection, or group of usually related persons, qualities, or things
… a constellation of … relatives, friends, and hangers-on …—
Brendan Gill
Brendan Gilla constellation of symptoms
4
: pattern, arrangement
… taking advantage of the shifting constellation of power throughout the known world.—H. D. Lasswell
H. D. LasswellExamples of constellation in a Sentence
The constellation Ursa Major contains the stars of the Big Dipper.
A large constellation of relatives and friends attended the funeral.
The patient presented a constellation of symptoms.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nearly 80% of this year's missions have been devoted to building out Starlink, SpaceX's giant broadband constellation in LEO.
—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
7 July 2026
The launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base is the first phase in a constellation called FireSat that will eventually cover the globe with 50 satellites collecting high-resolution imagery of fires and conditions on the ground every 20 minutes.
—
Eric Niiler,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
In the low southern sky is the classic summer constellation Scorpius the Scorpion, with the enormous red supergiant star Antares marking the heart of the beast.
—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
5 July 2026
This was the third launch of operational satellites for Amazon’s broadband internet constellation, which is seeking to become a competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink service.
—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for constellation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
7 July 2026
The launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base is the first phase in a constellation called FireSat that will eventually cover the globe with 50 satellites collecting high-resolution imagery of fires and conditions on the ground every 20 minutes.
—
Eric Niiler,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
In the low southern sky is the classic summer constellation Scorpius the Scorpion, with the enormous red supergiant star Antares marking the heart of the beast.
—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
5 July 2026
This was the third launch of operational satellites for Amazon’s broadband internet constellation, which is seeking to become a competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink service.
—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for constellation
Cite this Entry
“Constellation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constellation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
constellation
noun
con·stel·la·tion
ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən
: any of 88 groups of stars forming patterns
Etymology
Middle English constellacioun "the position of the stars in the sky at the time of a person's birth," from early French constellation (same meaning), from Latin con-, com- "with" and stella "star"
Medical Definition
constellation
noun
con·stel·la·tion
ˌkän(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən
: a set of ideas, conditions, symptoms, or traits that fall into or appear to fall into a pattern: as
a
: a group of stimulus conditions or factors affecting personality and behavior development
the way in which family constellation and handling of punishment influenced this particular boy—S. B. Sarason
S. B. Sarason
b
: a group of behavioral or personality traits
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
