perigee

noun

peri·​gee ˈper-ə-(ˌ)jē 

: the point in the orbit of an object (such as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the earth

also : the point nearest a planet or a satellite (such as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it compare apogee

perigean

ˌper-ə-ˈjē-ən 

adjective

Examples of perigee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At perigee the shuttle would experience pretty serious atmospheric braking, rapidly lose energy, and would definitely not be going back up to its apogee. —Eric Berger & Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 31 May 2026

Advertisement The opposite of a micromoon is a supermoon, which occurs when a full moon reaches perigee, or its closest point to Earth on the moon’s orbit. —Connor Greene, Time, 29 May 2026

At perigee, the moon is about 226,000 miles (363,300 kilometers) away from Earth, according to NASA. —Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 29 May 2026

Prior to the translunar injection, the crew completed a perigee raise burn to position the spacecraft in the correct orbital geometry for the maneuver, ensuring the engine firing would place Orion precisely on its intended path. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from New Latin perigeum, from Greek perigeion, from neuter of perigeios near the earth, from peri- + gē earth

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

perigee

noun

peri·​gee ˈper-ə-jē 

: the point nearest a planet (as the earth) or other body (as a moon) reached by an object orbiting it compare apogee