geodesic

American  

[jee-uh-des-ik, -dee-sik] / ˌdʒi əˈdɛs ɪk, -ˈdi sɪk /

adjective

1. Also geodesical. pertaining to the geometry of curved surfaces, in which geodesic lines take the place of the straight lines of plane geometry.

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noun

1. geodesic line.

geodesic British  

/ -ˈdiː-, ˌdʒiːəʊˈdɛsɪk /

adjective

1. Also: geodetic.   geodesical.  relating to or involving the geometry of curved surfaces

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noun

1. Also called: geodesic line.  the shortest line between two points on a curved or plane surface

geodesic Scientific  

/ jē′ə-dĕs′ĭk,-dē′sĭk /

1. A curve that locally minimizes the distance between two points on any mathematically defined space, such as a curved manifold. Equivalently, it is a path of minimal curvature. In noncurved three-dimensional space, the geodesic is a straight line. In General Relativity, the trajectory of a body with negligible mass on which only gravitational forces are acting (i.e. a free falling body) is a geodesic in (curved) 4-dimensional space-time.

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1. Of or relating to the branch of geometry that deals with geodesics.

Etymology

Origin of geodesic

From the French word géodésique, dating back to 1815–25. See geodesy, -ic

Example Sentences

"This equation shows that in a quantum spacetime, particles do not always move exactly along the shortest path between two points, as the classical geodesic equation would predict."

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

Her boyfriend of two years recently proposed to her in a rented geodesic dome in the mountains near their home.

From New York Times • May 22, 2024

The New Year’s Eve Ball is a geodesic sphere, 12 feet in diameter, and weighs 11,875 pounds.

From Washington Times • Dec. 28, 2023

In an upstairs hallway, Phillips, who has done occasional promotional posts in exchange for Disney goods or tickets, painted a pattern reminiscent of Spaceship Earth, Epcot’s geodesic dome.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 15, 2023

Billy is speaking before a capacity audience in a baseball park, which is covered by a geodesic dome.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut