synodic

adjective

syn·​od·​ic sə-ˈnä-dik 

variants or synodical

sə-ˈnä-di-kəl 

1

: of or relating to a synod : synodal

2

usually synodic [Greek synodikos, from synodos meeting, conjunction] : relating to conjunction

especially : relating to the period between two successive conjunctions of the same celestial bodies (such as the moon and the sun)

Examples of synodic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Venus’ retrograde cycle is part of its synodic cycle, which lasts around 19 months. — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025

The complications include a tourbillon, perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and a complex celestial and astronomical system that indicates three lunar month displays that include the synodic, draconic, and anomalistic cycles. — Sophie Furley, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024

This prograde-to-retrograde cycle is known as a synodic period, and Mercury takes roughly 115 days to complete it. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2023

Researchers have long believed this calendar was associated with planetary movements, especially the synodic periods—when a planet appears visually to return to the same location in the sky, as seen from Earth—of key planets. — Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 21 Apr. 2023

On Tuesday, April 11, the Sun and Jupiter form an exact alignment, which is an annual occurrence that marks the beginning of Jupiter’s synodic cycle. — Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing synodic

• synodic month

Rhymes for synodic

• anodic
• helladic
• melodic
• prosodic
• rhapsodic
• spasmodic
• antispasmodic
• aperiodic
• episodic
• periodic
• modoc
• sodic