A satellite is an object which has been sent into space in order to collect information or to be part of a communications system. Satellites move continually round the Earth or around another planet.
The rocket launched two communications satellites.
The signals are sent by satellite link.
Worldwide coverage beamed by satellite generates huge audiences.
Synonyms: spacecraft, communications satellite, sputnik, space capsule More Synonyms of satellite
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Satellite television is broadcast using a satellite.
They have four satellite channels.
Synonyms: dependent, client, subordinate, puppet More Synonyms of satellite
3. countable noun
A satellite is a natural object in space that moves round a planet or star.
...the satellites of Jupiter.
Synonyms: moon, secondary planet More Synonyms of satellite
4. countable noun [oft NOUN noun]
You can refer to a country, area, or organization as a satellite when it is controlled by or depends on a larger and more powerful one.
Italy became a satellite state of Germany by the end of the 1930s.
...Russia and its former satellites.
Synonyms: colony, dependency, dominion, protectorate More Synonyms of satellite
More Synonyms of satellite
satellite in British English
(ˈsætəˌlaɪt)
noun
1.
a celestial body orbiting around a planet or star
the earth is a satellite of the sun
2. Also called: artificial satellite
a man-made device orbiting around the earth, moon, or another planet transmitting to earth scientific information or used for communication
See also communications satellite
3.
a person, esp one who is obsequious, who follows or serves another
4.
a country or political unit under the domination of a foreign power
5.
a subordinate area or community that is dependent upon a larger adjacent town or city
6. (modifier)
subordinate to or dependent upon another
a satellite nation
7. (modifier)
of, used in, or relating to the transmission of television signals from a satellite to the house
a satellite dish aerial
verb
8. (transitive)
to transmit by communications satellite
Word origin
C16: from Latin satelles an attendant, probably of Etruscan origin
satellite in American English
(ˈsætlˌait)
noun
1. Astronomy
a natural body that revolves around a planet; a moon
2.
a country under the domination or influence of another
3.
something, as a branch office or an off-campus facility of a university, that depends on, accompanies, or serves something else
4.
an attendant or follower of another person, often subservient or obsequious in manner
5.
a device designed to be launched into orbit around the earth, another planet, the sun, etc
adjective
6.
of, pertaining to, or constituting a satellite
the nation's new satellite program
7.
subordinate to another authority, outside power, or the like
summoned to a conference of satellite nations
Derived forms
satellited
adjective
Word origin
[1540–50; 1955–60 for def. 2; ‹ L satellit- (s. of satelles) attendant, member of bodyguard or retinue]
On a steel platform below the bridge a satellite dish cupped the sky.
Ballard, J. G. RUSHING TO PARADISE (1989)
Via satellite, he would have secure communication with London.
Thomas, Craig THE LAST RAVEN (1989)
Meanwhile the weather bureau w as studying the latest meteorological photographs which had been transmitted by satellite.
Davis, John Gordon SEIZE THE RECKLESS WIND (1989)
Ritter looked again at the satellite photo of the house.
Clancy, Tom CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (1989)
In other languages
satellite
British English: satellite /ˈsætəlaɪt/ NOUN
A satellite is an object which has been sent into space in order to collect information or to be part of a communications system.
The rocket launched two communications satellites.
American English: satellite
Arabic: قَمَرٌ صِنَاعِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: satélite
Chinese: 卫星
Croatian: satelit
Czech: satelit
Danish: satellit
Dutch: satelliet
European Spanish: satélite
Finnish: satelliitti
French: satellite
German: Satellit
Greek: δορυφόρος
Italian: satellite
Japanese: 人工衛星
Korean: 위성
Norwegian: satelitt
Polish: satelita
European Portuguese: satélite
Romanian: satelit
Russian: спутник
Latin American Spanish: satélite
Swedish: satellit
Thai: ดาวเทียม
Turkish: uydu
Ukrainian: супутник
Vietnamese: vệ tinh
British English: satellite ADJECTIVE
Satellite television is broadcast using a satellite.
They have four satellite channels.
American English: satellite
Brazilian Portuguese: a satélite
Chinese: 卫星的
European Spanish: por satélite
French: de télévision par satellite
German: Satelliten-
Italian: satellitare
Japanese: 衛星放送の
Korean: 위성의
European Portuguese: a satélite
Latin American Spanish: por satélite
All related terms of 'satellite'
spy satellite
an orbiting satellite used to carry out surveillance of an enemy country or military formations from space
fixed satellite
a satellite in a geostationary orbit
satellite dish
A satellite dish is a piece of equipment which people need to have on their house in order to receive satellite television.
satellite link
a link between a transmitting station and a receiving station via an artificial satellite
Galilean satellite
any of the four large satellites of the planet Jupiter – Io , Europa , Ganymede , or Callisto – discovered in 1610 by Galileo
killer satellite
an orbiting satellite that can be maneuvered to approach a target satellite and destroy it by exploding
satellite nation
a country under the domination of a foreign power
weather satellite
a satellite which transmits meteorological information
artificial satellite
a man-made device orbiting around the earth, moon , or another planet transmitting to earth scientific information or used for communication
Hipparchus satellite
an astronometric satellite launched in 1989 by the European Space Agency that measured the position, proper motion , and brightness of 118 218 stars down to 12th magnitude and the magnitude and colour of a million stars down to 10th magnitude
observation satellite
an unmanned satellite that observes the earth and gathers data
satellite broadcasting
the transmission of television or radio programmes from an artificial satellite at a power suitable for direct reception in the home
satellite link-up
a link between a transmitting station and a receiving station via an artificial satellite
satellite navigation
navigation using data received from satellites
satellite photograph
a photograph taken by an artificial satellite from space
satellite telephone
a type of mobile phone that connects to orbiting artificial satellites rather than terrestrial cell sites
satellite television
television transmitted from an artificial satellite at a power suitable for direct reception in the home
communications satellite
an artificial satellite used to relay radio , television , and telephone signals around the earth, usually in geostationary orbit
reconnaissance satellite
a military satellite designed to carry out photographic surveillance , gather electronic intelligence , detect nuclear explosions , or provide early warning of strategic-missile launchings
satellite dish aerial
a parabolic aerial for reception from or transmission to an artificial satellite
telecommunications satellite
an artificial satellite used to relay radio , television, and telephone signals around the earth, usually in geostationary orbit
direct broadcasting satellite
a satellite used to transmit television broadcasts intended for home reception
satellite navigation system
a computer-operated system of navigation that uses signals from orbiting satellites and mapping data to pinpoint the user's position and plot a subsequent course
direct broadcasting by satellite
the production of satellite television broadcasts intended for home reception