noun
zodiac
ZOH-dih-ak
noun
1
The band of sky that follows the sun's yearly path, traditionally divided into twelve constellations or "signs."
"She reads her horoscope based on where the sun sits in the zodiac."
"Astronomers once used the zodiac to track the movement of the planets."
2
Any of several astrological systems built around twelve fixed signs, such as the Chinese zodiac.
"In the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Horse."
How to Use Zodiac
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe twelve star-sign belt used in astrology, or any similar twelve-part symbolic system like the Chinese calendar.
Common pairings
sign of the zodiac
Chinese zodiac
Word Forms
zodiacs plural, zodiacs plural
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Etymology
From Old French zodiaque, from Latin zōdiacus, from Greek zōidiakós kúklos, literally "circle of little animals" — a nod to the animal-shaped constellations along that band of sky.
Rhymes for zodiac
cardiac
Pontiac
amnesiac
brainiac
insomniac
egomaniac
pyromaniac
aphrodisiac
kleptomaniac
megalomaniac
nymphomaniac
hypochondriac
See all rhymes for zodiac →