perigee

[ per-i-jee ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. the point in the orbit of a heavenly body, especially the moon, or of an artificial satellite at which it is nearest to the earth.

perigee

/ ˈpɛrɪˌdʒiː /

noun

1. the point in its orbit around the earth when the moon or an artificial satellite is nearest the earth Compare apogee

perigee

/ pĕr′ə-jē /

1. The point nearest Earth's center in the orbit of the Moon or an artificial satellite.
2. The point in an orbit that is nearest to the body being orbited.
3. Compare apogee

perigee

1. The point in the orbit of a satellite at which it is closest to its parent body. ( Compare apogee .)

Derived Forms

• ˌperiˈgean, adjective

Other Words From

• peri·geal peri·gean adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perigee¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from French perigée, from New Latin perigēum, perigaeum, from Greek perígeion (sēmeîon) “perigee,” literally “boundary, limit (surrounding the earth),” equivalent to neuter of perígeios “surrounding the earth,” ( peri- peri- + -geios, adjective derivative of gaîa, gê “the earth”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of perigee¹

C16: via French from Greek perigeion, from peri- + gea earth

Example Sentences

When it is at its closest we call it perigee.

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

Full supermoons occur when the orbit of the moon is at perigee - the closest point to Earth in its orbit, which makes the Moon appear bigger and brighter in the night sky.

From BBC

A supermoon occurs when the full Moon coincides with when the moon is at its closest point to earth in its orbit - the perigee.

From BBC

Thompson called the latter a “very near lunar perigee.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• path
• pattern
• rotation
• trajectory