perigee

American  

[per-i-jee] / ˈpɛr ɪˌdʒi /

noun

Astronomy.

1. the point in the orbit of a heavenly body, especially the moon, or of an artificial satellite at which it is nearest to the earth.

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perigee British  

/ ˈpɛrɪˌdʒiː /

noun

1. the point in its orbit around the earth when the moon or an artificial satellite is nearest the earth Compare apogee

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perigee Scientific  

/ pĕr′ə-jē /

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

2. The point in an orbit that is nearest to the body being orbited.

3. Compare apogee perihelion

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perigee Cultural  

1. The point in the orbit of a satellite at which it is closest to its parent body. (Compare apogee.)

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Other Word Forms

• perigeal adjective
• perigean adjective

Etymology

Origin of perigee

First recorded in 1585–95; from French perigée, from New Latin perigēum, perigaeum, from Greek perígeion (sēmeîon) “perigee,” literally “boundary, limit (surrounding the earth),” equivalent to neuter of perígeios “surrounding the earth,” ( peri- peri- + -geios, adjective derivative of gaîa, gê “the earth”)

Compare meaning

How does perigee compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• apogee vs. perigee

Example Sentences

When the Moon is in "perigee" - or near its closest point to Earth - and that coincides with a full Moon, fully illuminated by the sun's light, we call it a supermoon.

From BBC

They are called “perigean” spring tides when they coincide with the moon being at “perigee,” or its closest approach to Earth.

From Los Angeles Times

They occur when the Moon is "in perigee".

From BBC

At its 'perigee' the Moon is 30,000 miles closer to Earth than at its 'apogee'

From BBC

A supermoon occurs when the moon reaches its perigee in orbit, meaning it is at its closest point to the Earth.

From BBC

Related Words

• path
• pattern
• rotation
• trajectory