geocentric

[ jee-oh-sen-trik ]

adjective

1. having or representing the earth as a center:

   a geocentric theory of the universe.

2. using the earth or earthly life as the only basis of evaluation.
3. viewed or measured as from the center of the earth:

   the geocentric position of the moon.

geocentric

/ ˌdʒiːəʊˈsɛntrɪk /

adjective

1. having the earth at its centre

   the Ptolemaic system postulated a geocentric universe

2. measured from or relating to the centre of the earth

geocentric

/ jē′ō-sĕn′trĭk /

1. Relating to or measured from the Earth's center.
2. Relating to a model of the solar system or universe having the Earth as the center.
3. Compare heliocentric

Derived Forms

• ˌgeoˈcentrically, adverb

Other Words From

• geo·centri·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of geocentric¹

First recorded in 1680–90; geo- + -centric

Example Sentences

Unfortunately, when we’re taught that there are only eight planets and these planets reign in their orbits, we’re hearkening back to the old geocentric concept.

From National Geographic

Galileo noted the phases of Venus as he observed it early in the 17th century, and he used it as an argument against the then popular geocentric models of the solar system.

From Scientific American

This explained the motion of the planets in the heavens with incredible accuracy; no longer could astronomers object that the heliocentric system was inferior to the geocentric one.

From Literature

So he’s busy trying to get industry up into space, up into geocentric orbit, which we have the technology to do.

From Seattle Times

Both discoveries provided key evidence in favor of the model of heliocentrism, developed by Nicolaus Copernicus and published in 1543, which displaced the previous, dogmatic and incorrect, geocentric model of the universe.

From Scientific American