Heliocentrism

Alternative forms

• heliocentricism

Origin

Shortened from heliocentricism, from , from + κέντρον.

Full definition of heliocentrism

Noun

1. (astronomy, history) The theory that the sun is the center of the universe.
• 1923, Felix Adler, "The Reconstruction of the Spiritual Ideal," American Ethical Union, 68.Geocentrism has been displaced by heliocentrism. Heliocentrism, in turn, the claim of the sun, surrounded by its satellites, to a sovereign place in the heavens, has become ridiculous in the face of the wilderness of suns that people the abysses beyond us.
• 2019, Elizabeth Howell, “PBS Series Takes Astronomy Buffs Back in Time With ‘Ancient Skies’”, Space.comIt wasn't until the Renaissance that scientists such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei showed proof for heliocentrism, or the idea that the planets moved around the sun.
2. (informal) The phenomenon of the Earth revolving around the Sun.
• 2012, David Cay Johnston, The Best Business Writing 2012 Chapter 16
• 2014, Rebecca Stefoff, The Sun and the Earth Chapter 4

Usage notes

Many dictionaries recognize heliocentricism as the grammatically correct form of this word. However, in current usage heliocentrism appears to be by far more frequently used. According to a Google Books search it seems that heliocentrism began to gain ground in the turn of 1960s and 1970s with the first occurrence taking place in 1930s.

Derived terms

• geoheliocentrism

Related terms

• heliocentric