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satellite definition

sat·el·lite (sat′'l īt′)

noun

    1. a follower or attendant attached to a prince or other person of importance
    2. any obsequious or fawning follower or dependent
    1. a celestial body that revolves around a larger celestial body
    2. a man-made object rocketed into orbit around the earth, the moon, etc.; specif., such an object containing electronic devices for originating or relaying communications, data, etc.
  3. something subordinate or dependent; specif., a small state that is economically or politically dependent on, and hence adjusts its policies to, a larger, more powerful state

Etymology: Fr < L satelles (gen. satellitis), an attendant, guard < Etr

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical satellite definition - medical

telecom satellite definition - telecom

satellite Synonyms

satellite

n.

  1. A small planet that revolves around a larger one

    moon, planetoid, minor planet, secondary planet, inferior planet, asteroid.

  2. A man-made object put into orbit around a celestial body

    space satellite, robot satellite, unmanned satellite, space station, orbital rocket, artificial moon, spacecraft, man-made moon, communications satellite, spy satellite, weather satellite, relay satellite, sputnik, satellite station, spy-in-the-sky.

    Well known man-made satellites include: Tiros, Discoverer, Sputnik, Syncom, Early Bird, Echo, Telstar, Relay, Nimbus, Secor, Skylab, Soyuz, Mir, Ranger, Comstar, Voyager, Explorer, Intelsat, GOES, Viking, Landsat, NAVSTAR.

  3. A smaller country dependent upon a larger one

    protectorate, dependency, former colony, buffer state, mandate.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

satellite Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • orbit: These huge ejections of solar plasma have a direct impact on orbiting satellites and land-based power and communications systems.

Adjective modifier

  • geostationary: Don't forget that we also receive images from geostationary satellites which cover the whole world.

Preposition: into

  • orbit: The Atlas 2 carried a U.S. reconnaissance satellite into orbit.

Modifies a noun

  • TV: All rooms have radio, satellite TV & phone.

Noun used with modifier

  • spy: The OKO spy satellite system reports multiple US missile launches.

Preposition: in

  • orbit: Under central control from HQ it can be used to take out satellites in orbit.
satellite usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"satellite." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/satellite>

APA Style

satellite. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/satellite

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