trajectory
noun
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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
Dane Brugler, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
In the future, doctors might also examine the child’s broader genetic profile to better predict their developmental trajectory, psychiatric risk or response to therapies.
—Santhosh Girirajan, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
Most launches from Vandenberg fly at a south or southeast trajectory.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025
From its origins in 2010 to its anniversary in 2025, Edition’s trajectory offers insight into how China’s luxury market is evolving.
—Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trajectory
Cite this Entry
“Trajectory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trajectory. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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trajectory
noun
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