Definition

1. Noun:

   • A celestial body orbiting a planet or star: A natural object in space that moves around a larger object, such as a moon orbiting a planet.
   • An artificial object placed in orbit around the earth or another celestial body: Man-made equipment used for communication, weather observation, navigation, or scientific research.
   • A person who follows or serves another, often in a subordinate role: Someone who is dependent on or revolves around a more powerful or central figure.

2. Adjective:

   • Surrounding and dominated by a central authority or power: Describing something smaller, dependent, or secondary that is politically or economically controlled by a larger central entity.

3. Verb:

   • To broadcast or disseminate via an artificial satellite: To transmit television, radio, or data signals using satellite technology.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Celestial Body):

  • The Moon is Earth's natural satellite.
  • Jupiter has many satellites, including Io and Europa.

• Noun (Artificial Object):

  • The satellite sends images of the storm back to Earth.
  • They launched a communications satellite into orbit.

• Noun (Person):

  • The powerful CEO was always surrounded by his loyal satellites.

• Adjective:

  • The empire controlled several satellite nations.
  • The company has a satellite office in a smaller city.

• Verb:

  • The event was satellited to audiences around the world.
  • The program is satellited from our main broadcast center.

Advanced Usage

• "Satellite state": A country that is formally independent but is under heavy political, economic, and military influence or control by another country.

  • During the Cold War, several Eastern European countries were considered satellite states of the Soviet Union.

• "Satellite imagery": Photographs or other visual data of Earth or other planets collected by imaging satellites.

  • The researchers used satellite imagery to track deforestation.

• "Satellite navigation (satnav)": A system that uses signals from satellites to determine the precise geographical position of a receiver.

  • I rely on satellite navigation when driving in unfamiliar cities.

Variants and Related Words

• Satellite dish (n): A parabolic antenna designed to receive or transmit signals from a communications satellite.

  • We installed a new satellite dish on the roof.

• Satellite television/TV (n): A service that delivers television programming via signals from communications satellites.

  • They subscribe to satellite television for hundreds of channels.

• Satellitize (v, less common): To equip with or convert to using satellite technology.

  • The plan is to satellitize the entire broadcasting network.

Synonyms

• Noun (Celestial/Artificial): Moon, orbiter, spacecraft, probe.
• Noun (Person): Follower, attendant, subordinate, underling.
• Adjective: Dependent, subordinate, peripheral, ancillary.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Verb Phrases

(Note: As a verb, 'satellite' is typically used directly and does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The action is often described with phrases like "broadcast via satellite" or "transmit by satellite.")

Related Idioms

• "In a satellite orbit around (someone)": To be constantly near or revolving around a particular person, showing dependency.
  • Ever since he became famous, his old friends seem to be in a satellite orbit around him, hoping for favors.

Adjective

1. surrounding and dominated by a central authority or power
   • a city and its satellite communities

Noun

1. any celestial body orbiting around a planet or star
2. a person who follows or serves another
3. man-made equipment that orbits around the earth or the moon

Verb

1. broadcast or disseminate via satellite