apogee

American  

[ap-uh-jee] / ˈæp əˌdʒi /

noun

1. Astronomy. the point in the orbit of a heavenly body, especially the moon, or of a man-made satellite at which it is farthest from the earth.

2. the highest or most distant point; climax.

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apogee British  

/ ˈæpəˌdʒiː /

noun

1. the point in its orbit around the earth when the moon or an artificial satellite is at its greatest distance from the earth Compare perigee

2. the highest point

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apogee Scientific  

/ ăp′ə-jē /

1. The point farthest from Earth's center in the orbit of the Moon or an artificial satellite.

2. The point in an orbit that is most distant from the body being orbited.

3. Compare aphelion perigee

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apogee Cultural  

1. In astronomy, the point during the orbit of a satellite, such as the moon, at which it is farthest from the body being orbited. For planets in the solar system orbiting the sun, their farthest point from the sun is referred to as aphelion.

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Other Word Forms

• apogeal adjective
• apogean adjective
• apogeic adjective

Etymology

Origin of apogee

1585–95; alteration (after French apogée ) of earlier apogaeum < Latin < Greek apógaion ( diástema ) off-earth (distance), neuter of apógaios (adj.), equivalent to apo- apo- + gáïos of the earth, derivative of gaîa, variant of gê the earth

Compare meaning

How does apogee compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• apogee vs. perigee

Example Sentences

At its 'perigee' the Moon is 30,000 miles closer to Earth than at its 'apogee'

From BBC

The Moon's furthest point from the Earth is known as apogee.

From BBC

The Moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical which means there are times when it is further away - apogee - and times when it is closer - perigee.

From BBC

The tradition that begins with the Cycladic sculptors is generally seen as reaching its apogee many centuries later when their Golden Age descendants finally arrived at an accurate if idealized treatment of the human form.

From New York Times

An hour later, the wind reached its apogee, with westward winds blowing at 25 mph and gusts of up to 40 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• apex