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 first, a communications satellite in geostationary orbit previously known as the Ultra-High Frequency Follow-On system, will now be known as as Ursa Major. —Brett Tingley, Space.com, 15 Dec. 2025

While most satellite internet services operate from single geostationary satellites orbiting Earth at about 22,236 miles, Starlink is a constellation of thousands of satellites that operate from a low-Earth orbit, about 341 miles up. —Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025

The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) designed Shijian-25 to test on-orbit refueling and mission extension technologies in geostationary orbit (GEO). —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025

And, finally, geostationary orbit (GEO) holds the high ground at more than 22,300. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Nov. 2025

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