synodic

[ si-nod-ik ]

adjective

1. Astronomy. pertaining to a conjunction, or to two successive conjunctions of the same bodies.
2. of or relating to a synod; synodal.

synodic

/ sɪˈnɒdɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or involving a conjunction or two successive conjunctions of the same star, planet, or satellite

   the synodic month

synodic

/ sĭ-nŏd′ĭk /

1. Relating to the conjunction of celestial bodies, especially to the interval between two successive conjunctions of a planet or the Moon with the Sun as viewed from Earth. For example, the new moon comes at the conjunction of the Moon with the Sun; the interval between successive new moons (the time it takes for the Moon to orbit the Earth and return to conjunction with the Sun) is the Moon's synodic period, also called a lunar month . Synodic time differs from sidereal time , which is measured in relation to the stars and is generally more appropriate to astronomical observation.

Other Words From

• syn·od·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·syn·od·ic adjective
• non·syn·od·i·cal adjective
• non·syn·od·i·cal·ly adverb
• sub·syn·od·ic adjective
• sub·syn·od·i·cal adjective
• sub·syn·od·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of synodic¹

1555–65; < Late Latin synodicus < Greek synodikós. See synod, -ic

Example Sentences

Lunar Year, a period of 12 synodic lunar months, being about 354.5 days.

From Project Gutenberg

They determined correctly within a small fraction the length of the synodic revolution of the moon.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, because twenty-seven days is about the synodic period of solar rotation.

From Project Gutenberg

The correlation with the synodic rotation of the Sun was practically perfect.

From Project Gutenberg