Illustration of cosmos
- cosmos 3
1
a
2
: a complex orderly self-inclusive system
3
plural cosmos
ˈkäz-məs 
[New Latin, genus name, from Greek kosmos]
: any of a genus (Cosmos) of tropical American composite herbs
-məz
also cosmoses
ˈkäz-mə-səz
[New Latin, genus name, from Greek kosmos]
: any of a genus (Cosmos) of tropical American composite herbs
especially
: a widely cultivated tall annual (C. bipinnatus) with yellow or red disks and showy ray flowers
Did you know?
Cosmos and the Universe
Cosmos often simply means "universe". But the word is generally used to suggest an orderly or harmonious universe, as it was originally used by Pythagoras in the 6th century B.C. Thus, a religious mystic may help put us in touch with the cosmos, and so may a physicist. The same is often true of the adjective cosmic: Cosmic rays (really particles rather than rays) bombard us from outer space, but cosmic questions come from human attempts to find order in the universe.
Examples of cosmos in a Sentence
the origins of the cosmos
an essay that ponders the place of humankind in the vast cosmos
Recent Examples on the Web
There were just giant clouds of pristine hydrogen and helium floating around, on their slow-and-steady way to becoming the rich tapestry of the modern-day cosmos.
—
Paul Sutter, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2025
However, this movie has an undeniable asset: Cate Blanchett, one of the most undeniable stars in the entire cosmos.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Because black holes naturally rotate, this could give a little spin to the entire cosmos, ultimately cascading down cosmic scales to tweak the twirls of individual galaxies.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2025
This concept horrified critics like William Empson, who saw it as depicting a cosmos ruled by an irrational deity whose rage toward humanity can be placated only by his son’s torture and death.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmos
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.
Paul Sutter, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2025
However, this movie has an undeniable asset: Cate Blanchett, one of the most undeniable stars in the entire cosmos.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Because black holes naturally rotate, this could give a little spin to the entire cosmos, ultimately cascading down cosmic scales to tweak the twirls of individual galaxies.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2025
This concept horrified critics like William Empson, who saw it as depicting a cosmos ruled by an irrational deity whose rage toward humanity can be placated only by his son’s torture and death.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cosmos
Cite this Entry
“Cosmos.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmos. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share