apogee

apo·gee

noun \ˈa-pə-(ˌ)jē\

Definition of APOGEE

1

: the point in the orbit of an object (as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is at the greatest distance from the center of the earth; also : the point farthest from a planet or a satellite (as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it — compare perigee

2

: the farthest or highest point : culmination <Aegean civilization reached its apogee in Crete>

— apo·ge·an \ˌa-pə-ˈjē-ən\ adjective

Examples of APOGEE

1. <shag carpeting reached the apogee of its popularity in the 1970s but is now considered outdated>

Illustration of APOGEE

Origin of APOGEE

French apogée, from New Latin apogaeum, from Greek apogaion, from neuter of apogeios, apogaios far from the earth, from apo- + gē, gaia earth

First Known Use: 1594

Related to APOGEE

Synonyms

acme, apex, height, capstone, climax, crescendo, crest, crown, culmination, head, high noon, high tide, high-water mark, meridian, ne plus ultra, noon, noontime, peak, pinnacle, sum, summit, tip-top, top, zenith

Antonyms

bottom, nadir, rock bottom

Related Words

bloom, blossom, flood tide, flower, glory, heyday, prime; cap, ceiling, roof; extreme, extremity, tip, vertex; high, highlight, highspot

Near Antonyms

abyss, base, foot; minimum

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith