satellite

/ˌsædlˈaɪt/

/ˈsætɪlaɪt/

Other forms: satellites; satelliting

A satellite is something small or less powerful that orbits around something bigger. It often describes a body in space, such as an artificial satellite that orbits the Earth and beams down signals that power devices like cell phones.

The word satellite was first used to describe a follower of someone in a superior position. The word's meaning later broadened to describe anything small that's dependent on something larger. The small satellite circles around the more powerful force, like a moon orbiting a planet. Satellite can describe a small country — a satellite country — controlled by a larger one, or a large organization that has a small office — a satellite office — in another location.

Definitions of satellite

1. noun

   any celestial body orbiting around a planet or star
   examples:

   Deimos

   the outer of two small satellites of Mars

   Moon

   the natural satellite of the Earth

   Phobos

   the larger of the two satellites of Mars

   Titan

   the largest of the satellites of Saturn; has a hazy nitrogen atmosphere

   types:

   Galilean, Galilean satellite

   one of the four satellites of Jupiter that were discovered by Galileo

   moon

   any natural satellite of a planet

   type of:

   celestial body, heavenly body

   a natural object visible in the sky
2. noun

   man-made equipment that orbits around the earth or the moon
   synonyms: artificial satellite, orbiter

   types:

   astronomy satellite

   a satellite equipped with a telescope to observe infrared radiation

   communications satellite

   an artificial satellite that relays signals back to earth; moves in a geostationary orbit

   ballistic capsule, space vehicle, spacecraft

   a vehicle or device able to travel beyond Earth's atmosphere

   space laboratory, space platform, space station

   a manned artificial satellite in a fixed orbit designed for scientific research

   sputnik

   a Russian artificial satellite

   spy satellite

   a satellite with sensors to detect nuclear explosions

   meteorological satellite, weather satellite

   a satellite that transmits frequent picture of the earth below

   lander

   a space vehicle that is designed to land on the moon or another planet

   LEM, lunar excursion module, lunar module

   a spacecraft that carries astronauts from the command module to the surface of the moon and back

   capsule, space capsule

   a spacecraft designed to transport people and support human life in outer space

   space shuttle

   a reusable spacecraft with wings for a controlled descent through the Earth's atmosphere

   spaceship, starship

   a vehicle designed for travel far outside Earth's atmosphere, such as to visit another planet (especially in science fiction)

   type of:

   equipment

   an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service
3. verb

   broadcast or disseminate via satellite
   type of:

   air, beam, broadcast, send, transmit

   disseminate over the airwaves, as in radio or television
4. adjective

   surrounding and dominated by a central authority or power
   “a city and its satellite communities”

   synonyms:

   outer

   being on the outside or further from a center
5. noun

   a person who follows or serves another
   synonyms: planet

   type of:

   follower

   a person who accepts the leadership of another