satellite

noun

sat·​el·​lite ˈsa-tə-ˌlīt 

1

a

: a celestial body orbiting another of larger size

b

: a manufactured object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another celestial body

a communications satellite

2

: someone or something attendant, subordinate, or dependent

especially : a country politically and economically dominated or controlled by another more powerful country

3

: a usually independent urban community situated near but not immediately adjacent to a large city

4

: direct broadcast satellite

5

: a hired agent or obsequious follower : minion, sycophant

satellite adjective

Examples of satellite in a Sentence

Satellites help meteorologists predict the weather.

Images of the planet are sent by satellite.

Recent Examples on the Web

Any natural satellites of Psyche could’ve been ejected from the body by ancient impacts—or might’ve even been captured from deep space by chance encounters as the asteroid drifted through the solar system. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 May 2026

The satellite distribution system was part of a broader initiative—later associated with the name Univision—by Televisa to link Spanish-speaking audiences across regions. —Bynick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026

Geomorphologist Dan Shugar and his team used NASA-USGS Landsat satellites to pin the disaster on the rapid retreat of the South Sawyer Glacier. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026

Unlike most other modern blockbuster tours, Mars performed on a traditional (if large) rectangular stage, with no cat walks extending into the crowd and no second satellite stage at the back of the floor. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Latin satellit-, satelles attendant

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing satellite

• anti-satellite
• direct broadcast satellite
• satellite dish
• satellite DNA
• satellite galaxy
• satellite imagery
• satellite television

Rhymes for satellite

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

satellite

noun

sat·​el·​lite ˈsat-ᵊl-ˌīt 

1

: an obsequious follower of a distinguished person : toady

2

a

: a heavenly body orbiting another of larger size

b

: a man-made object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another heavenly body

3

: a country controlled by a more powerful country

satellite adjective

Etymology

from early French satellite "a person who follows or escorts someone of importance," from Latin satellit-, satelles "escort, attendant"

Word Origin

Although it is now closely connected with the modern world of space exploration, satellite is actually a very old word. Its origin can be traced to the Latin word satelles, meaning "one who escorts or follows after an important person." This is also the original meaning of satellite in English. Because such heavenly bodies as the moon can be thought of as "escorts" of the planets they orbit, they also became known as satellites. The satellites of modern times made by humans got their name because they, like the moon, orbit the earth.

Medical Definition

satellite

noun

sat·​el·​lite ˈsat-ᵊl-ˌīt 

1

: a short segment separated from the main body of a chromosome by a constriction

called also trabant

2

: the secondary or later member of a chain of gregarines

3

: a bodily structure lying near or associated with another (as a vein accompanying an artery)

4

: a smaller lesion accompanying a main one and situated nearby

5

: a spectral line of low intensity having a frequency close to that of another stronger line to which it is closely related (as by having a common energy level)

satellite adjective