trajectory
Americannoun
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trajectories
plural
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the curve described by a projectile, rocket, or the like in its flight.
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Geometry. a curve or surface that cuts all the curves or surfaces of a given system at a constant angle.
noun
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the path described by an object moving in air or space under the influence of such forces as thrust, wind resistance, and gravity, esp the curved path of a projectile
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geometry a curve that cuts a family of curves or surfaces at a constant angle
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Physics The line or curve described by an object moving through space.
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Mathematics A curve or surface that passes through a given set of points or intersects a given series of curves or surfaces at a constant angle.
Usage
What does trajectory mean? The trajectory of an object is the path it follows once in flight or in motion. The word is especially used in the context of the path of projectiles like rockets, but it can be used in many different contexts. The trajectory of a golf ball is the curved path it follows in the air after being hit by a golf club. The trajectory of an asteroid is the path it follows in space. The potential trajectory of a storm is the route that it may travel. In geometry, trajectory is used in a more specific way to refer to a curve that intersects through a series of points at the same angle. Example: Try to determine the trajectory of the ball as it flies through the air so you can position yourself to catch it.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of trajectory
First recorded in 1660–70; from New Latin trājectōria, noun use of feminine of Medieval Latin trājectōrius “casting over”; equivalent to traject + -tory 1
Explanation
If you stay on your current trajectory of constant shopping, dining out, and yacht rentals, you'll end up broke. A trajectory is the path of an object through space, or the path of life that a person chooses. Trajectory comes from the Latin trajectoria, which means "throw across." The prefix tra- is short for trans-, which means "across" (think transport and transit) and the ject comes from jacere, which means "throw" and is also the root of the word jet. If you wanted to describe the path of a jet through the sky, you could refer to the jet's trajectory.
Vocabulary lists containing trajectory
The Alchemist
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Freak the Mighty
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Into the Wild
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Though businesses are diversifying away from the two AI heavyweights, overall AI spending seems to be continuing on a steep upward trajectory, the analysts say.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
The 2025 figure is "encouraging but so far it's the exception, not a new trajectory", Erin Matson, the study's co-author and lead consultant at advisory group Climate Focus, said in a media briefing.
From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026
The unwelcome trajectory for mortgage rates overshadows some positive news for home buyers: the recovery in housing supply, which has been constrained over the past few years.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
He was disturbed by images of fans being hit with rubber bullets and equipment being stolen, but also realized the band’s trajectory had suddenly changed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026
I’d learned that mental training was just as important as physical training, because despite our team’s upward trajectory in competitions, my teammates and coaching staff were intent on standing in my way.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
On Tuesday, US 10- and 30-year Treasuries were trading at their highest yields since around 2002, with other G7 bonds following similar trajectories.
From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026
Material leaving the brown dwarf followed trajectories that carried it directly into the star.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026
Becerra has openly discussed the details of his parents’ story, which unfolded on both sides of the border and in many ways reflects Mexican immigrant trajectories during the historical period of the 1920s and 1930s.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
Based on the current trajectories of dollar-yen’s 50-DMA and 200-DMA, the crossover should occur before the end of next week.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026
Only after racing to calculate the trajectories of the fragments could Air Force personnel report that the flying objects were not coming over the North Pole toward American cities.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
