mean distance

noun

Astronomy.

1. the arithmetic mean of the greatest and least distances of a planet from the sun, used in stating the size of an orbit; the semimajor axis.

mean distance

noun

1. the average of the greatest and least distances of a celestial body from its primary

Word History and Origins

Origin of mean distance¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

That does not mean distance learning is a failure.

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Upon his return there was now enough information for the French astronomer Joseph Lalande to calculate that the mean distance from the Earth to the Sun was a little over 150 million kilometers.

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By feel, I mean distance control: the ability to look at a putt, make a few practice strokes, and then put the right amount of hit on it.

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The authority, in its defense, points out that the current rate remains a staggering improvement from 1981, when the mean distance between failures was 7,000 miles.

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Ms. Hakim said the reliability of trains, known as mean distance between failure, had dropped because it had reached an artificially high level when a large order of new subway cars arrived in 2010.

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