ellipsoid
noun
el·lip·soid
i-ˈlip-ˌsȯid 
e-
: a surface all plane sections of which are ellipses or circles
Examples of ellipsoid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When the geoid is above the ellipsoid, the difference is subtracted.
—
Freddie Wilkinson, National Geographic, 28 Sep. 2020
Again, by elementary optics and geometry, light rays originating at one focus of a hollow reflective ellipsoid are reflected to the other focus by its inside surface.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2020
The earth is slightly thicker in the equator, making it an ellipsoid, technically.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 17 Dec. 2019
From radar observations, Psyche the asteroid appears ellipsoid in shape, about as wide as Massachusetts.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2017
Freddie Wilkinson, National Geographic, 28 Sep. 2020
Again, by elementary optics and geometry, light rays originating at one focus of a hollow reflective ellipsoid are reflected to the other focus by its inside surface.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2020
The earth is slightly thicker in the equator, making it an ellipsoid, technically.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 17 Dec. 2019
From radar observations, Psyche the asteroid appears ellipsoid in shape, about as wide as Massachusetts.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ellipsoid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1721, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ellipsoid
Cite this Entry
“Ellipsoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ellipsoid. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on ellipsoid
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ellipsoid
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