perihelion

American  

[per-uh-hee-lee-uhn, -heel-yuhn] / ˌpɛr əˈhi li ən, -ˈhil yən /

noun

Astronomy.

perihelia plural

1. the point in the orbit of a planet or comet at which it is nearest to the sun.

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perihelion British  

/ ˌpɛrɪˈhiːlɪən /

noun

1. the point in its orbit when a planet or comet is nearest the sun Compare aphelion

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perihelion Scientific  

/ pĕr′ə-hē′lē-ən /

1. The point at which an orbiting object, such as a planet or a comet, is closest to the Sun.

2. Compare aphelion perigee

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• perihelian
  adjective
• perihelial
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• perihelia
  plural

Etymology

Origin of perihelion

1660–70; < Greek peri- peri- + hḗli ( os ) sun + -on neuter noun suffix, on the model of perigee; earlier in the New Latin form perihelium

Compare meaning

How does perihelion compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• aphelion vs. perihelion

Example Sentences

At Perihelion Brewery, Lungwitz heard people in front of her in line worrying that the Jefferson Park garlic could trip skaters up.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 10, 2024

Perihelion, that point in the orbit of a planet, or comet, in which it is nearest to the sun.

From A Manual of the Antiquity of Man by MacLean, J. P. (John Patterson)

When his Liver was at Perihelion, he had a Complexion suggesting an Alligator-Pear, and his Eye-Balls should have been taken out and burnished.

From Ade's Fables by Ade, George

Perihelion, the point of an orbit nearest the sun.

From Recreations in Astronomy With Directions for Practical Experiments and Telescopic Work by Warren, Henry White

Perihelion, the point on the orbit of a planet or comet nearest the sun.

From The Nuttall Encyclopædia Being a Concise and Comprehensive Dictionary of General Knowledge by Nuttall, P. Austin