apogee

[ap-uh-jee]

noun

1. Astronomy.,  the point in the orbit of a heavenly body, especially the moon, or of a man-made satellite at which it is farthest from the earth.

2. the highest or most distant point; climax.

apogee

/ ˈæpəˌdʒiː /

noun

1. the point in its orbit around the earth when the moon or an artificial satellite is at its greatest distance from the earth Compare perigee

2. the highest point

apogee

1. The point farthest from Earth's center in the orbit of the Moon or an artificial satellite.

2. The point in an orbit that is most distant from the body being orbited.

3. Compare aphelion perigee

apogee

1. In astronomy, the point during the orbit of a satellite, such as the moon, at which it is farthest from the body being orbited. For planets in the solar system orbiting the sun, their farthest point from the sun is referred to as aphelion.

Other Word Forms

• apogeal adjective
• apogean adjective
• apogeic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apogee¹

1585–95; alteration (after French apogée ) of earlier apogaeum < Latin < Greek apógaion ( diástema ) off-earth (distance), neuter of apógaios (adj.), equivalent to apo- apo- + gáïos of the earth, derivative of gaîa, variant of gê the earth

Word History and Origins

Origin of apogee¹

C17: from New Latin apogaeum (influenced by French apogée ), from Greek apogaion, from apogaios away from the earth, from _apo- + gaia earth

Related Words

• apex