noun
firmament
FUR-muhmnt
Firmament (noun) means the sky, especially thought of as a vast dome or vault overhead. Example: “Stars scattered across the firmament as night fell.”
noun
1
The sky, especially thought of as a vast dome or vault overhead.
"Stars scattered across the firmament as night fell."
2
A particular field or sphere of activity, used figuratively.
"the international fashion firmament"
"She was a rising star in the political firmament."
"By this time, Seaford was a town of 2,000 people, and, in the next decade, the poultry industry became a rising star in the firmament of economic growth as new housing and feeding techniques were introduced."
— Shannon Wiley, Introduction (1999)
How to use firmament
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA poetic or biblical word for the sky, or figuratively, a whole field of activity.
When to use it
Formal and literary; rarely used in everyday speech.
Common pairings
stars in the firmament
literary firmament
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Word forms
- Plural
- firmaments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Stars scattered across the _____ as night fell.
Etymology
From Latin firmamentum ("support, sky"), used in the Bible to translate a Hebrew word for the vault of the heavens.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for firmament
lament
ornament
ligament
armament
filament
sacrament
testament
tournament
parliament
temperament
predicament
disarmament
See all rhymes for firmament →
Frequently asked questions
What does “firmament” mean?
The word “firmament” means the sky, especially thought of as a vast dome or vault overhead. In plain terms, a poetic or biblical word for the sky, or figuratively, a whole field of activity.
How do you pronounce “firmament”?
“Firmament” is pronounced FUR-muhmnt (/ˈfɝməmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “firmament” in a sentence?
Here is “firmament” used in a sentence: “Stars scattered across the firmament as night fell.”
What part of speech is “firmament”?
“Firmament” is a noun.
Where does the word “firmament” come from?
The word “firmament” comes from Latin. From Latin firmamentum ("support, sky"), used in the Bible to translate a Hebrew word for the vault of the heavens.
How many meanings does “firmament” have?
“Firmament” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the sky, especially thought of as a vast dome or vault overhead.
