satellite

noun

sat·​el·​lite ˈsa-tə-ˌlīt How to pronounce satellite (audio)
Synonyms of satellitenext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ties between Ukraine and its most important backer the United States have also been strained by the apparent withdrawal of US intelligence sharing, and restrictions to the Starlink satellite internet service. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 Rather than adding new reconnaissance satellites, the system will process imagery from existing sources, helping Taiwan improve early warning as Beijing continues to increase military pressure around the island. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Toulon already has a satellite campus of the École Camondo interior architecture and design school, and the Design Parade could move to its Porte d’Italie district as early as next year. — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2026 Zelenskyy said that Kyiv was investigating sudden speed restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Starshield, the military-grade version of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, which is the backbone of Ukraine’s drone operations and communication. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for satellite

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Latin satellit-, satelles attendant

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Time Traveler
The first known use of satellite was circa 1520

Phrases Containing satellite

Rhymes for satellite

See All Rhymes for satellite

Browse Nearby Words

sateless
satellite
satellite dish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Satellite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/satellite. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

satellite

noun
sat·​el·​lite ˈsat-ᵊl-ˌīt How to pronounce satellite (audio)
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 How to pronounce satellite (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on satellite

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for satellite

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about satellite

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