# trajectory

/tɹəˈdʒɛktɝi/ (US) · /tɹədʒˈɛktəɹˌi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/trajectory
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. physical path

noun · CEFR B2

the curved path that an object, like a ball or a rocket, follows as it moves through the air or space.

For teachers: the path described by an object moving under the influence of gravity or other forces.

- The scientists calculated the rocket's trajectory to ensure it would reach the moon safely.
- The artillery officer adjusted the angle of the cannon to account for wind resistance, ensuring the shell followed a precise trajectory toward the target.

### 2. career or life path

noun · CEFR B2

the way that something changes or develops over time, such as your career or a country's economy.

For teachers: a course of development or a sequence of events over time. Often used in professional or economic contexts.

- Her career trajectory changed completely after she decided to go back to university.
- The company's growth trajectory suggests that they will become the market leader within the next three fiscal years.

### 3. mathematical system

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the set of states a system goes through over time.

For teachers: the ordered set of intermediate states assumed by a dynamical system as a result of time evolution.

- The computer model showed the trajectory of the weather system over the next week.
- In chaos theory, even a slight change in initial conditions can result in a wildly different trajectory for the entire system.

## Examples

- The rocket's trajectory was tracked by computers on the ground.
- The young athlete's career trajectory changed significantly after she won the national championship at age sixteen.
- By calculating the initial velocity and the angle of launch, the engineers were able to predict the satellite's trajectory with remarkable precision despite the atmospheric interference.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.