geostationary

adjective

geo·​sta·​tion·​ary ˌjē-ō-ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē 

: being or having an equatorial orbit at an altitude of about 22,300 miles (35,900 kilometers) requiring an angular velocity the same as that of the earth so that the position of a satellite in such an orbit is fixed with respect to the earth

Examples of geostationary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The availability of water is key to the company’s vision for building a transportation network between low-Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, and the Moon. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026

Those two independent spacecraft in geostationary orbit detected the bolide via onboard lightning imagers. — Leonard David, Space.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Sign up for the newsletter Originally, NOAA was planning to have three geostationary satellites operating simultaneously, one over the Eastern US, one above the Central US and another above the West. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2026

Five of its 248 Boeing 767, 777, and 787 aircraft have received this upgrade, with the remainder relying on older, slower systems that connect to satellites in geostationary Earth orbit. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for geostationary

• accretionary
• apothecary
• bicentenary
• certiorari
• concessionary
• concretionary
• confectionary
• confectionery
• constabulary
• contemporary
• deflationary
• depositary