cosmodrome
1 synonym for cosmodrome, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A facility used to launch spacecraft, especially one of the Soviet-built or Russian-built sites.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use cosmodrome
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
launch from a cosmodrome
cosmodrome site
Russian cosmodrome
It is a specialist term met mainly in space and aviation contexts rather than everyday speech.
Etymology
The word combines the prefix cosmo-, relating to the universe, with the ending -drome, meaning a place for a particular activity. It was formed on the pattern of aerodrome.
Full origin of cosmodrome →Frequently asked questions
What is a cosmodrome?
It is a site built for launching spacecraft, complete with launch pads and support facilities.
Is cosmodrome the same as spaceport?
Yes, the two words are synonyms, though cosmodrome is most often used for Soviet or Russian sites such as Baikonur and Plesetsk.
Why is Baikonur called a cosmodrome rather than a spaceport?
It follows the Russian naming tradition for such facilities, and the English word cosmodrome was formed to match that usage.
