Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to the sky or visible heavens: Pertaining to the physical sky, outer space, or the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere.
   • Divine or heavenly: Of or relating to heaven or the spiritual realm; supremely good, beautiful, or blissful, as if from a divine source.

Examples of Usage

• Relating to the sky or heavens:
  • Astronomers study celestial bodies like stars and planets.
  • The celestial map showed the positions of the constellations.
• Divine or heavenly:
  • The music had an ethereal, celestial quality.
  • Ancient myths often speak of celestial beings descending to Earth.

Advanced Usage

• "Celestial sphere": An imaginary sphere of very large radius, centered on the observer, used in astronomy to map the positions of stars and planets.
  • The North Star is located near the north celestial pole.
• "Celestial navigation": The practice of finding one's way using observations of the sun, moon, stars, and planets.
  • Before GPS, sailors relied on celestial navigation.

Variants and Related Words

• Celestially (adverb): In a celestial manner.
  • The light shone celestially through the stained glass.
• Celestial body (noun phrase): A natural object in space, such as a planet, star, or moon.
  • The moon is Earth's closest celestial body.

Synonyms

• Heavenly: Of or like heaven; divine. Also used for things in the sky.
• Ethereal: Extremely delicate, light, and heavenly.
• Astronomical: Relating to astronomy or the scientific study of celestial objects.

Related Phrases

• Celestial equator: The projection of Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere.
• Celestial mechanics: The branch of astronomy that deals with the motions of celestial objects under the influence of gravity.

Adjective

1. of heaven or the spirit
   • celestial peace
   • ethereal melodies
   • the supernal happiness of a quiet death
2. relating to or inhabiting a divine heaven
   • celestial beings
   • heavenly hosts
3. of or relating to the sky
   • celestial map
   • a heavenly body