astronomical unit

noun, Astronomy
1.
a unit of length, equal to the mean distance of the earth from the sun: approximately 93 million miles (150 million km).
Abbreviation: AU.
Origin
1900-05
British Dictionary definitions for astronomical unit

astronomical unit

noun
1.
a unit of distance used in astronomy equal to the mean distance between the earth and the sun. 1 astronomical unit is equivalent to 1.495 × 1011 metres or about 9.3 × 107 miles
astronomical unit in Science
astronomical unit
(ās'trə-nŏm'ĭ-kəl)
A unit of length equal to the average distance from Earth to the Sun, approximately 149.6 million km (92.8 million mi). It is used especially to measure distances within the solar system. Compare light-year, parsec.

astronomical unit in Culture

astronomical unit definition


The mean distance between the Earth and the sun, about 98 million miles or 150 million kilometers. It is often abbreviated as AU.