satellite
SA-tuh-lyt
Satellite (noun) means a man-made object placed in orbit around Earth or another body, used for communication, navigation, or observation. Example: “The weather forecast relies on images from a satellite.”
noun
1
A man-made object placed in orbit around Earth or another body, used for communication, navigation, or observation.
"The weather forecast relies on images from a satellite."
"Engineers launched a new communications satellite into orbit."
"Your phone uses a satellite to work out where you are."
2
A natural body, such as a moon, that orbits a larger one.
"The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite."
"Jupiter has many moons, and each one is a satellite of the planet."
"Scientists are studying a small satellite that orbits the giant planet."
3
A smaller place or group that depends on, or is controlled by, a larger one.
"The town grew into a satellite of the nearby city."
"The factory is a satellite of the main company and takes orders from head office."
"Small satellite villages depend on the market town for their shops and schools."
How to use satellite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that orbits something bigger — whether a man-made device in space, a moon, or a smaller place under a bigger one's influence.
Common pairings
a communications satellite
satellite TV
a satellite town
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like satellite.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- satellites
- Third person singular
- satellites
- Past tense
- satellited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The weather forecast relies on images from a _____.
Etymology
From Latin satelles, meaning "attendant" or "bodyguard" — the modern space-age sense was a much later extension of the idea of something that follows and accompanies a larger body.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for satellite
See all rhymes for satellite →Frequently asked questions
What does “satellite” mean?
The word “satellite” means a man-made object placed in orbit around Earth or another body, used for communication, navigation, or observation. In plain terms, something that orbits something bigger — whether a man-made device in space, a moon, or a smaller place under a bigger one's influence.
How do you pronounce “satellite”?
“Satellite” is pronounced SA-tuh-lyt (/ˈsætəlaɪ̯t/ in IPA).
How do you use “satellite” in a sentence?
Here is “satellite” used in a sentence: “The weather forecast relies on images from a satellite.”
What part of speech is “satellite”?
“Satellite” is a noun.
Where does the word “satellite” come from?
The word “satellite” comes from Latin. From Latin satelles, meaning "attendant" or "bodyguard" — the modern space-age sense was a much later extension of the idea of something that follows and accompanies a larger body.
Is “satellite” a common word?
“Satellite” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “satellite” have?
“Satellite” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a man-made object placed in orbit around Earth or another body, used for communication, navigation, or observation.
What is the difference between a satellite and a moon?
The word satellite covers both man-made objects placed in orbit around Earth or another body and natural bodies that orbit a larger one. A moon is a type of natural satellite, so every moon is a satellite, but not every satellite is a moon. Man-made satellites used for communication, navigation, or observation are called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural ones.
What is the difference between a satellite and a spacecraft?
A satellite is an object that orbits a larger body such as Earth, staying in a repeating path. A spacecraft is a broader term for any vehicle designed to travel in space, which may orbit, fly past, or land somewhere. A satellite is one kind of spacecraft, but a spacecraft that leaves orbit to travel to another planet is not usually called a satellite.
Can the word satellite be used as an adjective?
Yes, satellite is often used attributively before a noun to mean something dependent on or connected to a larger central thing, as in "satellite office," "satellite town," or "satellite campus." In these uses it borrows the idea of orbiting or revolving around a main hub.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include satellite:
