ENGLISH
REFERENCE

satellite

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈsætəˌɫaɪt// UK //sˈætəlˌaɪt// satel·lite Archaic General-service Informal

n. an object that moves around a planet or a star in space. It can be a natural object like the moon or a machine sent up by people to send signals or take pictures.

n. a celestial body orbiting a planet or an artificial object placed in orbit around a planet or star to collect information or facilitate communication.


SIMPLE

The satellite sends weather data back to Earth.

CONTEXTUAL

Engineers launched a new communications satellite into orbit to improve internet speeds in remote mountain villages.

COMPLEX

While the moon remains Earth's only natural satellite, thousands of artificial devices now populate the low Earth orbit, providing essential services from global positioning to climate monitoring.

Synonyms
Origin

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

Usage

Often used as a noun adjunct to modify other nouns, such as in 'satellite imagery' or 'satellite television'.

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