Meaning & use
astrobiology
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountabletechnical
The scientific study of the origin, evolution, and possible existence of life beyond Earth.
Grammar: Uncountable; no plural form.
Patterns
- study astrobiology
- research in astrobiology
Astrobiology combines biology, chemistry, and astronomy to search for extraterrestrial life.
She chose astrobiology because she wanted to study whether life could exist on Mars.
Common combinations
- astrobiology research
- Astrobiology research often involves studying extreme environments on Earth.
- astrobiology mission
- The astrobiology mission will search for signs of life on Europa.
- study astrobiology
- He decided to study astrobiology after watching a documentary about exoplanets.
Synonyms and how they differ
- exobiology
- A near-synonym, but often narrower, focusing on life outside Earth rather than the whole field.
Word family
- astrobiologist noun
- A scientist who works in astrobiology.
- astrobiological adjective
- Relating to astrobiology.
Commonly confused: astrobiology or astronomy? astrobiology or astrology?
astrobiology vs astronomy
Astronomy studies celestial objects; astrobiology focuses on life in the universe.
astrobiology vs astrology
Astrology is a belief system about stars influencing people; astrobiology is a science.
Practice
What does astrobiology primarily study?
Choose one answer.
Astrobiology is about life in the universe; the other options are topics in astronomy or physics.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “astrobiology”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.