1
: exhibiting activity
streets astir with shoppers
2
: being out of bed : up
no one was astir

Examples of astir in a Sentence

the mall was astir with throngs of holiday shoppers
Recent Examples on the Web News reporters were astir and skipped this curtain scene. New York Times, 11 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'astir.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of astir was in 1765

Dictionary Entries Near astir

Cite this Entry

“Astir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astir. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

astir

adjective
1
: being in a state of activity : stirring
2
: being out of bed : up
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