satellite

noun

sat·​el·​lite ˈsa-tə-ˌlīt 

1

a

: a celestial body orbiting another of larger size

b

: a manufactured object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another celestial body

a communications satellite

2

: someone or something attendant, subordinate, or dependent

especially : a country politically and economically dominated or controlled by another more powerful country

3

: a usually independent urban community situated near but not immediately adjacent to a large city

4

: direct broadcast satellite

5

: a hired agent or obsequious follower : minion, sycophant

satellite adjective

Examples of satellite in a Sentence

Satellites help meteorologists predict the weather.

Images of the planet are sent by satellite.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wind shear over the Caribbean had its second-highest start to July since satellite records began in 1979, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data parsed by Lowry. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Each satellite is equipped with multispectral imaging that can peer through smoke and clouds and detect fires as small as five by five meters—about 16 by 16 feet. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026

Beyond military missions Military operators could use the software to distinguish routine orbital activity from potentially suspicious behavior, including satellite maneuvers, separation events, and close-proximity operations. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026

The states have argued that the merger threatens to increase prices and reduce output, harming theaters, cable and satellite distributors, and ultimately harming consumers as well. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Latin satellit-, satelles attendant

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing satellite

• anti-satellite
• direct broadcast satellite
• satellite dish
• satellite DNA
• satellite galaxy
• satellite imagery
• satellite television

Rhymes for satellite

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

satellite

noun

sat·​el·​lite ˈsat-ᵊl-ˌīt 

1

: an obsequious follower of a distinguished person : toady

2

a

: a heavenly body orbiting another of larger size

b

: a man-made object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another heavenly body

3

: a country controlled by a more powerful country

satellite adjective

Etymology

from early French satellite "a person who follows or escorts someone of importance," from Latin satellit-, satelles "escort, attendant"

Word Origin

Although it is now closely connected with the modern world of space exploration, satellite is actually a very old word. Its origin can be traced to the Latin word satelles, meaning "one who escorts or follows after an important person." This is also the original meaning of satellite in English. Because such heavenly bodies as the moon can be thought of as "escorts" of the planets they orbit, they also became known as satellites. The satellites of modern times made by humans got their name because they, like the moon, orbit the earth.

Medical Definition

satellite

noun

sat·​el·​lite ˈsat-ᵊl-ˌīt 

1

: a short segment separated from the main body of a chromosome by a constriction

called also trabant

2

: the secondary or later member of a chain of gregarines

3

: a bodily structure lying near or associated with another (as a vein accompanying an artery)

4

: a smaller lesion accompanying a main one and situated nearby

5

: a spectral line of low intensity having a frequency close to that of another stronger line to which it is closely related (as by having a common energy level)

satellite adjective