celestial

1 of 2

adjective

ce·​les·​tial sə-ˈles-chəl How to pronounce celestial (audio)
-ˈlesh-,
-ˈle-stē-əl
1
: of, relating to, or suggesting heaven or divinity
celestial beings
2
: of or relating to the sky or visible heavens
the sun, moon, and stars are celestial bodies
3
a
: ethereal, otherworldly
celestial music
b
: olympian, supreme
the celestial impudence of the boy Leonard Bacon
4
capitalized [Celestial Empire, old name for China] : of or relating to China or the Chinese
5
: eminently pleasing : delightful, heavenly
It's possible that the cuisine has become even more celestial since the return of his former sous chef … Tanya Wenman Steel
celestially adverb

celestial

2 of 2

noun

1
: a heavenly or mythical being
2
capitalized : chinese sense 1a

Examples of celestial in a Sentence

Adjective stars, planets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies The late afternoon sunlight gave the room a celestial glow.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Perhaps that’s why the International Astronomical Union, the official keeper of celestial names and definitions, doesn’t have a definition for what makes a moon. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2025 Here’s celestial proof that spring has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
The capsule also features a Wild West linen of rollicking cowboys and cowgirls, which is also available as wallpaper, as well as pom-pom forest and celestial-themed wallpapers. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 16 Aug. 2022 Curry manages to be both ordinary in size and celestial in talent. Jerry Brewer, Anchorage Daily News, 18 June 2022 See All Example Sentences for celestial

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin caelestis celestial, from caelum sky

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of celestial was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Celestial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celestial. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

celestial

adjective
ce·​les·​tial
sə-ˈles-chəl
1
: of, relating to, or suggesting heaven
angels are celestial beings
2
: of or relating to the sky
a star is a celestial body
celestially
-chə-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on celestial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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