What does spaceman mean?
A spaceman is a person who travels in space, usually as an astronaut, although the word is less formal and less specific than astronaut. It can also describe a fictional humanoid being from another world, especially in stories and cartoons for children. The expression naturally evokes the popular image of an explorer or adventurer wearing a helmet and spacesuit, so it carries a somewhat heroic or imaginative tone. In everyday conversation, “spaceman” is often a familiar alternative to the more technical “astronaut,” but it is not normally the preferred term in professional space programmes. The compound formed space + man also reflects the vocabulary of the early space age, when space travel was a prominent part of public culture and popular entertainment.
nounA person who travels in space, especially an astronaut. The term is often used informally and may also refer to a fictional character or humanoid being from outer space.
- A person who travels in space, especially an astronaut.
- A fictional humanoid being from outer space, especially in science fiction.
"The spaceman floated above the spacecraft as the engines fired."
"The first spacemen spent years training for missions beyond the atmosphere."
"In the cartoon, a friendly spaceman lands in the middle of the town."
The regular plural changes the final vowel and adds -en.
"The spacemen completed their training before the mission began."
A spaceman may travel to the stars, but the word itself is an early example of space-age wordplay: space plus man.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spaceman come from?
Spaceman is a 20th-century compound of space and man. Space comes from Latin spatium, meaning a physical expanse or distance, while man is an Old English word for a human being. The compound developed as people began using space-related vocabulary during the era of space exploration, and it later became common in both factual references and science-fiction writing.
Related word forms
How spaceman is actually used
The term is less formal than astronaut and is especially common in general speech, children's writing, and science fiction. In some contexts it can sound dated or playful rather than technical.
Easily confused with spaceman
An astronaut is a formally trained person who travels in space, while spaceman is a broader and often more informal term that can also describe fictional beings.