satellite

noun

sat·​el·​lite ˈsa-tə-ˌlīt How to pronounce satellite (audio)
1
a
: a celestial body orbiting another of larger size
b
: a manufactured object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another celestial body
2
: someone or something attendant, subordinate, or dependent
especially : a country politically and economically dominated or controlled by another more powerful country
3
: a usually independent urban community situated near but not immediately adjacent to a large city
4
5
: a hired agent or obsequious follower : minion, sycophant
satellite adjective

Examples of satellite in a Sentence

Satellites help meteorologists predict the weather. Images of the planet are sent by satellite.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
About two-thirds of them have been devoted to building out the Starlink network in low Earth orbit, by far the biggest satellite constellation ever assembled. Mike Wall, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2025 The rate of annual sea level rise has more than doubled since the satellite record began in 1993 -- with sea levels rising at least 4 inches since then, according to NASA. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025 SpaceX complained that operating costs for its Starlink internet satellite service are increased by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors face no such costs in the United States. Lora Kolodny,dan Mangan, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025 SpaceX, which includes internet satellite service Starlink, and Verizon are reportedly competing for control of a $2.4 billion Federal Aviation Administration contract, according to The Washington Post. Christopher Bing, ProPublica, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for satellite

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Latin satellit-, satelles attendant

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Time Traveler
The first known use of satellite was circa 1520

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Satellite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/satellite. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

satellite

noun
sat·​el·​lite ˈsat-ᵊl-ˌīt How to pronounce satellite (audio)
1
: an obsequious follower of a distinguished person : toady
2
a
: a heavenly body orbiting another of larger size
b
: a man-made object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another heavenly body
3
: a country controlled by a more powerful country
satellite adjective
Etymology

from early French satellite "a person who follows or escorts someone of importance," from Latin satellit-, satelles "escort, attendant"

Word Origin
Although it is now closely connected with the modern world of space exploration, satellite is actually a very old word. Its origin can be traced to the Latin word satelles, meaning "one who escorts or follows after an important person." This is also the original meaning of satellite in English. Because such heavenly bodies as the moon can be thought of as "escorts" of the planets they orbit, they also became known as satellites. The satellites of modern times made by humans got their name because they, like the moon, orbit the earth.

Medical Definition

satellite

noun
sat·​el·​lite ˈsat-ᵊl-ˌīt How to pronounce satellite (audio)
1
: a short segment separated from the main body of a chromosome by a constriction

called also trabant

2
: the secondary or later member of a chain of gregarines
3
: a bodily structure lying near or associated with another (as a vein accompanying an artery)
4
: a smaller lesion accompanying a main one and situated nearby
5
: a spectral line of low intensity having a frequency close to that of another stronger line to which it is closely related (as by having a common energy level)
satellite adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!