Sputnik

noun

Sput·​nik ˈspət-nik 

ˈspu̇t-, 

ˈspüt-

: any of a series of earth-orbiting satellites launched by the Soviet Union beginning in 1957

Word History

Etymology

Russian, literally, traveling companion, from s, so with + put' path

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Sputnik

noun

Sput·​nik ˈspu̇t-nik 

ˈspət-

: any of a series of satellites launched by the Soviet Union beginning in 1957