'astrobiology' originates from modern English, specifically combining the element 'astro-' (from Greek 'astron') and 'biology' (from Greek 'bios' + 'logia'), where 'astron' meant 'star', 'bios' meant 'life', and 'logia' meant 'study'.

'astrobiology' was coined in modern English in the 20th century by combining the Greek-derived elements 'astro-' and 'biology' rather than evolving from a medieval English form, and it became established as the modern scientific term 'astrobiology'.

Initially it often referred to speculative ideas about life beyond Earth, but over time it evolved into the modern scientific discipline meaning 'the study of life in the universe, including its origin, distribution, and future'.