Boötes

noun

Bo·​ö·​tes bō-ˈō-tēz How to pronounce Boötes (audio)
: a northern constellation containing the bright star Arcturus

Examples of Boötes in a Sentence

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.
Facing to the east, Bootes actually looks much more like a big sideways kite pointing to the left or north, with Arcturus serving as the tail of the kite. Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 12 May 2024 The constellation will appear as a small, semicircular arc between the more widely recognizable constellations of Hercules and Bootes. Denise Chow, NBC News, 22 Mar. 2024 The organization says the constellation is now obsolete and references shifted to the nearby Bootes constellation. Susan Miers Smith, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2024 Generally speaking, this one is currently visible in the northern sky in the evening, and is near the constellation Bootes. Nicole Clausing, Sunset Magazine, 23 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin (genitive Boötis), from Greek Boōtēs, literally, plowman, from bous head of cattle — more at cow

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Boötes was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near Boötes

Cite this Entry

“Boötes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bo%C3%B6tes. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

Boötes

noun
Bo·​ö·​tes bō-ˈōt-ēz How to pronounce Boötes (audio)
: a northern group of stars including the bright star Arcturus
Etymology

Greek Boōtēs, literally, "plowman"

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!