satellite

[ sat-l-ahyt ]

noun

1. Astronomy. a natural body that revolves around a planet; a moon.
2. a country under the domination or influence of another.
3. something, as a branch office or an off-campus facility of a university, that depends on, accompanies, or serves something else.
4. an attendant or follower of another person, often subservient or obsequious in manner.

   Synonyms: flunky, toady, sycophant, parasite, lackey, associate, companion, supporter, follower

5. a device designed to be launched into orbit around the earth, another planet, the sun, etc.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting a satellite:

   the nation's new satellite program.

2. using an earth-orbiting satellite to transmit communications signals; transmitted or broadcast by satellite:

   satellite radio and TV.

3. subordinate to another authority, outside power, or the like:

   summoned to a conference of satellite nations.

satellite

/ ˈsætəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a celestial body orbiting around a planet or star

   the earth is a satellite of the sun

2. Also calledartificial satellite a man-made device orbiting around the earth, moon, or another planet transmitting to earth scientific information or used for communication See also communications satellite
3. a person, esp one who is obsequious, who follows or serves another
4. a country or political unit under the domination of a foreign power
5. a subordinate area or community that is dependent upon a larger adjacent town or city
6. modifier subordinate to or dependent upon another

   a satellite nation

7. modifier of, used in, or relating to the transmission of television signals from a satellite to the house

   a satellite dish aerial

verb

1. tr to transmit by communications satellite

satellite

/ săt′l-īt′ /

1. A small body in orbit around a larger body.
2. See Note at moon
3. An object launched to orbit Earth or another celestial body. Satellites are used for research, communications, weather information, and navigation. The first artificial Earth satellite was Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union in October 1957; the first successful American satellite was launched in January 1958.

satellite

¹

1. In politics, a nation that is dominated politically by another. The Warsaw Pact nations, other than the former Soviet Union itself, were commonly called satellites of the Soviet Union.

satellite

²

1. Any object in orbit about some body capable of exerting a gravitational ( see gravitation ) force . Artificial satellites in orbit around the Earth have many uses, including relaying communication signals, making accurate surveys and inventories of the Earth's surface and weather patterns, and carrying out scientific experiments.

satellite

³

1. In astronomy , an object, whether natural (such as the moon ) or artificial (such as a weather observation satellite), that revolves around a central body. ( See under “World Politics.” )

Other Words From

• satel·lited adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of satellite¹

1540–50; 1955–60 satellite fordef 2; < Latin satellit- (stem of satelles ) attendant, member of bodyguard or retinue

Word History and Origins

Origin of satellite¹

C16: from Latin satelles an attendant, probably of Etruscan origin

Example Sentences

The animation below, from NOAA’s GOES-West satellite, shows the formation of the cyclone and its movement up the coast.

From Los Angeles Times

He previously told reporters in Russia that "only servicemen of Nato countries can input flight missions into these missile systems," adding that Kyiv also relies on satellite intelligence supplied by the West to choose targets.

From BBC

This makes it possible to use a satellite connection instead of terrestrial GSM networks, which guarantees coverage even in remote wilderness regions completely independent of local infrastructure.

From Science Daily

Muscle growth and regeneration occurs thanks to a population of stem cells called satellite cells.

From Science Daily

Musk has transformed the space business by creating resusable booster rockets that cut costs, such as the company’s workhorse Falcon 9, which sends satellites into space.

From Los Angeles Times