moon

UK: muːn | US: muːn

Definition

  1. n. Earth's natural satellite, visible in the night sky

  2. n. A natural satellite of any planet

  3. n. A poetic or literary term for a month (archaic)

Structure
moon <lunar body>
Etymology

The word "moon" traces back to Old English mōna, derived from Proto-Germanic mēnô, which in turn comes from Proto-Indo-European mēns- ("moon, month"). This root reflects the ancient connection between lunar cycles and timekeeping (e.g., a month originally meant one lunar cycle). The word has retained its core meaning as Earth's satellite while losing its archaic association with months in modern English.

Examples

  1. The full moon illuminated the countryside.

  2. Jupiter has at least 79 known moons.

  3. She gazed at the crescent moon through her telescope.

  4. In old poetry, "twelve moons" signified a year.

  5. The astronauts planted a flag on the moon in 1969.