trajectory

noun

tra·​jec·​to·​ry trə-ˈjek-t(ə-)rē 

plural trajectories

1

: the curve that a body (such as a planet or comet in its orbit or a rocket) describes in space

2

: a path, progression, or line of development resembling a physical trajectory

an upward career trajectory

Did you know?

Formed with part of the prefix trans-, "across", trajectory means a "hurling across". By calculating the effect of gravity and other forces, the trajectory of an object launched into space at a known speed can be computed precisely. Missiles stand a chance of hitting their target only if their trajectory has been plotted accurately. The word is used most often in physics and engineering, but not always; we can also say, for example, that the trajectory of a whole life may be set in a person's youth, or that a new book traces the long trajectory of the French empire.

Examples of trajectory in a Sentence

the trajectory of the missile

Recent Examples on the Web

Though aimed primarily at China, any tariff barrage that shakes Asia’s biggest economy — Japan’s main customer — is reason enough for investors to reassess the Nikkei’s trajectory. —William Pesek, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

From wild walk-off postseason wins to important contracts, coach hirings and firings and a quarterback injury that dramatically shifted the trajectory of the football team, 2024 was another memorable sports year. —Jason Lloyd, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024

In doing this, the exhibition aligns its artists with women working for the military-industrial complex: ENIAC, the world’s first modern computer, was invented to compute ballistic missile trajectories (six young women programmed it), and Grace Hopper was a Navy officer. —Lua Vollaard, ARTnews.com, 27 Dec. 2024

The question of community, friendship, belonging, and exclusion has been shaping your trajectory for the past two years or so. —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin trajectoria, from feminine of trajectorius of passing, from Latin traicere to cause to cross, cross, from trans-, tra- trans- + jacere to throw — more at jet

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

trajectory

noun

tra·​jec·​to·​ry trə-ˈjek-t(ə-)rē 

plural trajectories

: the curve that a body (as a planet in its orbit or a rocket) travels along in space