trajectory

noun

tra·​jec·​to·​ry trə-ˈjek-t(ə-)rē 

plural trajectories

1

: the curve that a body (such as a planet or comet in its orbit or a rocket) describes in space

the trajectory of a missile

2

: a path, progression, or line of development resembling a physical trajectory

an upward career trajectory

the nation's economic trajectory

Did you know?

Formed with part of the prefix trans-, "across", trajectory means a "hurling across". By calculating the effect of gravity and other forces, the trajectory of an object launched into space at a known speed can be computed precisely. Missiles stand a chance of hitting their target only if their trajectory has been plotted accurately. The word is used most often in physics and engineering, but not always; we can also say, for example, that the trajectory of a whole life may be set in a person's youth, or that a new book traces the long trajectory of the French empire.

Examples of trajectory in a Sentence

the trajectory of the missile

Recent Examples on the Web

Back then, generative AI was the exciting (and scary) new thing, and without Microsoft’s investment in compute, OpenAI wouldn’t have been able to build ChatGPT, and the industry’s trajectory might have been very different. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Even within the highest echelons of wealth concentration, these two groups are on different trajectories. — Markus Schneider, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

The One Media Capital Fund will target Italian and international film and TV production companies that shoot in Italy, supporting their operations, the development of new projects and providing guidance to their growth trajectories. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026

If the government continues its present spending trajectory, interest payments will be double the defense budget by 2036. — Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin trajectoria, from feminine of trajectorius of passing, from Latin traicere to cause to cross, cross, from trans-, tra- trans- + jacere to throw — more at jet

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trajectory

• directory
• refectory
• nectary
• rectory
• subdirectory

Kids Definition

trajectory

noun

tra·​jec·​to·​ry trə-ˈjek-t(ə-)rē 

plural trajectories

: the curve that a body (as a planet in its orbit or a rocket) travels along in space