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satellite

n. · v.
US //ˈsætəˌɫaɪt// UK //sˈætəlˌaɪt// satel·lite
  1. 1 man-made machine in space (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Science

    a machine sent into space to orbit the Earth for communication, weather, or GPS.

    an artificial apparatus placed in orbit around a celestial body to relay data or facilitate telecommunications.

    Example

    The weather satellite sends high-resolution images of the storm back to Earth.

    Example

    Engineers lost contact with the communications satellite shortly after it entered the upper atmosphere, jeopardising the entire regional network.
  2. 2 a moon (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    a natural object, like a moon, that moves around a planet.

    a natural celestial body that orbits a planet or a larger primary body.

    Example

    The planet Jupiter has dozens of satellites, including the famous moon Europa.

    Example

    Astronomers are currently investigating whether the small irregular satellite was captured by the planet's gravity or formed alongside it.
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  1. 3 satellite TV (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    television programs sent to your home using signals from space.

    television broadcasting services received via a dish from an orbiting transmitter.

    Example

    We decided to get satellite because the local channels had poor reception.

    Example

    The rural household relied on satellite for their internet and television needs due to the lack of fibre-optic infrastructure in the valley.
  2. 4 dependent country or town (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Formal

    a smaller country or town that is controlled by or depends on a larger one.

    a political or urban entity that is technically independent but remains under the heavy influence or domination of a larger power.

    Example

    The small town grew as a satellite of the nearby capital city.

    Example

    During the Cold War, several Eastern European nations functioned as satellite states, with their domestic policies largely dictated by the Soviet Union.
  3. 5 grammar particle (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a small word that goes with a verb to show direction or a change, like 'out' in 'go out'.

    a grammatical constituent that complements a verb to express path, aspect, or result, often found in satellite-framed languages like English.

    Example

    In the phrase 'run away', the word 'away' is a satellite.

    Example

    English is classified as a satellite-framed language because it typically expresses the path of motion through a satellite rather than within the verb root itself.

    Usage

    In linguistics, this term refers to the 'particle' in a phrasal verb.
  4. 6 to transmit (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    to send a signal or show a program using a satellite.

    to transmit a signal, data, or broadcast via an orbiting satellite.

    Example

    The live concert was satellited to millions of viewers across the globe.

    Example

    The news agency managed to satellite the footage from the remote disaster zone just minutes before the ground station lost power.
Origin

From Middle French satellite, from Latin satelles (“attendant”). Ultimately perhaps of Etruscan origin.

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