heliocentric

[ hee-lee-oh-sen-trik ]

/ ˌhi li oʊˈsɛn trɪk /

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adjective Astronomy.

measured or considered as being seen from the center of the sun.

having or representing the sun as a center: the heliocentric concept of the universe.

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Origin of heliocentric

First recorded in 1660–70; helio- + -centric

OTHER WORDS FROM heliocentric

he·li·o·cen·tri·cal·ly, adverbhe·li·o·cen·tric·i·ty

[hee-lee-oh-sen-tris-i-tee], /ˌhi li oʊ sɛnˈtrɪs ɪ ti/, he·li·o·cen·tri·cism

[hee-lee-oh-sen-truh-siz-uhm], /ˌhi li oʊˈsɛn trəˌsɪz əm/, noun

Words nearby heliocentric

heliculture, helideck, heliencephalitis, Heligoland, helio, heliocentric, heliocentric parallax, Heliochrome, heliodor, Heliogabalus, heliogram

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use heliocentric in a sentence

The importance of this last discovery was of supreme value, for it confirmed the heliocentric theory.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume VI|John Lord
As already noted, the heliocentric doctrine is not expressly stated here.
A History of Science, Volume 1(of 5)|Henry Smith Williams
It was not to be expected that his mind would be attracted by the heliocentric theory of Aristarchus.
A History of Science, Volume 1(of 5)|Henry Smith Williams
It was not to be expected that Ptolemy should have adopted the heliocentric idea of Aristarchus.
A History of Science, Volume 1(of 5)|Henry Smith Williams

More than this, and worse than this, he had asserted the heliocentric theory—that the earth made its annual journey about the sun.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 11 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll

British Dictionary definitions for heliocentric

heliocentric

/ (ˌhiːlɪəʊˈsɛntrɪk) /

adjective

having the sun at its centre

measured from or in relation to the centre of the sun

Derived forms of heliocentric

heliocentrically, adverbheliocentricity or heliocentricism, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for heliocentric

heliocentric

[ hē′lē-ō-sĕn′trĭk ]

Relating to or measured from the center of the Sun.

Relating to a model of the solar system or universe having the Sun as the center. Compare geocentric. See Note at Copernicus.