cryonaut: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist/Technical)Technical/Scientific, Science Fiction
Quick answer
What does “cryonaut” mean?
A person whose body is preserved at extremely low temperatures after death, with the hope of future revival.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person whose body is preserved at extremely low temperatures after death, with the hope of future revival.
A person who has undergone or is scheduled for cryonic preservation; a participant in cryonics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in meaning. The term is used identically in both scientific and speculative contexts.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of futurism, speculative science, and transhumanism. Can be viewed with skepticism or as science fiction by the general public.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage. Slightly more likely to appear in American English due to the location of major cryonics organizations in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “cryonaut” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a cryonaut.[Subject] became a cryonaut in 2020.The [organisation] cares for its cryonauts.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cryonaut” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The documentary profiled several British cryonauts who made arrangements with a US facility.
- He signed the contract, officially becoming a cryonaut upon legal death.
American English
- The Alcor Life Extension Foundation maintains its cryonauts in a state of biostasis.
- As a registered cryonaut, her vitrification process began immediately.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in papers and discussions on bioethics, futurism, and life extension technologies.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Precise term within the field of cryonics and transhumanist literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cryonaut”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cryonaut”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cryonaut”
- Misspelling as 'cryonot' or 'cryonought'.
- Confusing with 'cryogenics' (the science of low temperatures) or 'cryonics' (the practice of preservation).
- Using it as a synonym for a scientist who works with cold.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, cryonic preservation typically begins after legal death is declared. The process is seen as a form of long-term medical storage with a speculative hope of future revival.
In science fiction, 'cryogenic sleep' often implies a reversible, planned suspension for space travel. A 'cryonaut' refers specifically to a person preserved after death through cryonics, with revival being a hypothetical future possibility, not a guaranteed technology.
Yes, notable figures who have been cryopreserved include baseball legend Ted Williams and futurist FM-2030 (formerly Fereidoun M. Esfandiary).
No, it is not a formal medical term. It is a coined term used within the cryonics community and in related speculative fiction and journalism. Formal literature may use terms like 'cryonics patient' or 'cryopreserved individual'.
A person whose body is preserved at extremely low temperatures after death, with the hope of future revival.
Cryonaut: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrʌɪ.ə.nɔːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkraɪ.oʊ.nɑːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On ice (colloquial, related concept)”
- “A one-way ticket to the future”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an ASTRONAUT who travels into space (the future), but a CRYONAUT travels into extreme COLD (cryo) and time.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEATH IS A JOURNEY / THE FUTURE IS A DESTINATION. The cryonaut is a traveler on a one-way trip to a future era.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'cryonaut' most appropriately used?