Meaning & use
satellite
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Meanings
nouncountable
An object, either natural or artificial, that moves around a larger body in space.
Grammar: Countable: a satellite, two satellites. Often used with 'launch', 'orbit', or 'put into orbit'.
Patterns
- launch a satellite
- a satellite orbits something
- put a satellite into orbit
The moon is Earth's only natural satellite.
The company plans to launch a new communications satellite next year.
Astronomers discovered a small satellite orbiting the dwarf planet.
nouncountabledisapproving
A country or organization that is controlled by or dependent on a larger, more powerful one.
Grammar: Often used before another noun: a satellite state, a satellite country.
Patterns
- a satellite state
- a satellite country
During the Cold War, several satellite states followed Moscow's policies.
The smaller nation was seen as a satellite of its powerful neighbor.
nouncountable
A device or service that uses satellites to provide communication, television, or navigation signals.
Grammar: Often used before another noun: satellite TV, satellite phone, satellite navigation.
Patterns
- satellite TV
- satellite phone
- satellite navigation
We watched the game on satellite TV.
Rescue teams used satellite phones to call for help.
The car's satellite navigation system guided us through the city.
Word forms
| plural | satellites |
|---|
Common combinations
- communications satellite
- The communications satellite relays signals across the ocean.
- satellite dish
- They installed a satellite dish on the roof to get more channels.
- satellite image
- The satellite image showed the storm approaching the coast.
- weather satellite
- The weather satellite tracks cloud movements.
- satellite state
- The country was once a satellite state of a larger empire.
Synonyms and how they differ
- moon
- Moon is the natural satellite of Earth or another planet; satellite is the general term for any orbiting object.
- spacecraft
- Spacecraft is a vehicle in space; a satellite is specifically one that orbits a body.
- dependency
- Dependency is a neutral term for a controlled territory; satellite often carries a disapproving tone.
Word family
- satellite adjective
- Used before a noun to mean relating to satellites, as in satellite television.
Commonly confused: satellite or meteor?
satellite vs meteor
A meteor is a piece of space rock that burns up in the atmosphere; a satellite orbits a planet or moon.
Practice
The moon is a natural ______ of Earth.
Choose one answer.
A satellite is any object that orbits a larger body, and the moon is Earth's natural satellite. A meteor burns up in the atmosphere, satcom is a communication system, and sateen is a fabric.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “satellite”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.