What does "zodiac" mean?
The belt-like region of the celestial sphere, approximately eight degrees north and south of the ecliptic, which includes the apparent path of the sun, moon, and visible planets.
Zodiac
/ˈzoʊ.diˌæk/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The belt-like region of the celestial sphere, approximately eight degrees north and south of the ecliptic, which includes the apparent path of the sun, moon, and visible planets.
- Grammar: zodiac is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: anklet, aphelion, apogee, armlet.
- Useful contrasts: nonzodiacal.
- Usage evidence: The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac come from eleven kinds of animals originating in nature, namely the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, as well as the legendary form of the dragon, and are used as a calendar.
How to use "zodiac"
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- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "zodiac" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "zodiac" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The belt-like region of the celestial sphere, approximately eight degrees north and south of the ecliptic, which includes the apparent path of the sun, moon, and visible planets.
"Tremulous on the bladed graſs ſhone bright the pearly drops, like an aſſembly of ſparkling ſtars dancing on the plains of the zodiac; vocal was every bending ſpray, every reed was inſpired, each vvarbling throat ſeemed to emulate the melodious voice of the bird of a thouſand ſongs."
- 2 A inflatable boat.
- 3 Alternative letter-case form of zodiac. alt-of
- 4 (astrology) a circular diagram representing the 12 zodiacal constellations and showing their signs wordnet
- 5 The twelve equal divisions of the zodiacal region into signs or houses, each named for a prominent constellation in the region.
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes wordnet
- 7 The twelve equal divisions of the zodiacal region into signs or houses, each named for a prominent constellation in the region.; The Chinese zodiac.
- 8 The ecliptic: the belt-like region of the celestial sphere corresponding to the apparent path of the sun over the course of a year.
- 9 Any of various astrological systems considered similar to the above.
"Discussing both Chinese and Western zodiacs might be a prewriting activity."
- 10 A circle decorated with the signs of the zodiac. countable
Proper Noun
- 1 The Zodiac Killer.
Antonyms
Example
"The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac come from eleven kinds of animals originating in nature, namely the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, as well as the legendary form of the dragon, and are used as a calendar."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "zodiac"?
Common synonyms include: anklet, aphelion, apogee, armlet, aspect, astral symbolism.
How do you use "zodiac" in a sentence?
The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac come from eleven kinds of animals originating in nature, namely the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, as well as the legendary form of the dragon, and are used as a calendar.
How do you pronounce "zodiac"?
Pronounced /ˈzoʊ.diˌæk/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English zodiak (late 14th century), from Old French zodiaque, from Latin zōdiacus, from Ancient Greek ζῳδιακός [κύκλος] (zōidiakós [kúklos], “[circle] of little animals”), from ζῴδιον (zōídion), the diminutive of ζῷον (zōîon, “animal”).
Etymology 2
From the name of brand of inflatable boats produced by the French Zodiac Nautic company.