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View synonyms for sputnik

sputnik

[ spoot-nik, spuht-; Russian spoot-nyik ]

noun

  1. (sometimes initial capital letter) any of a series of Soviet earth-orbiting satellites:

    Sputnik I was the world's first space satellite.



Sputnik

/ ˈspʌt-; ˈspʊtnɪk /

noun

  1. any of a series of unmanned Soviet satellites, Sputnik 1 (launched in 1957) being the first man-made satellite to orbit the earth
“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sputnik1

1957; < Russian spútnik satellite, traveling companion, equivalent to s- together, with + put’ way, route + -nik agent suffix ( -nik )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sputnik1

C20: from Russian, literally: fellow traveller, from s- with + put path + -nik suffix indicating agent
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Example Sentences

With his trademark delivery - unhurried and calm - he informed viewers of the first sputnik in space, and delivered the communiqués of the Communist Party.

From BBC

This guy's not as imposing as a sputnik, but just as many bulbs.

From Salon

A “sputnik chandelier” hangs over the dining room table while a breakfast nook adjoining the kitchen has a Formica-topped dinette table and curtains with a starburst pattern.

The Soviets called it sputnik, meaning simply "satellite" or "fellow traveler."

From Time

The Met’s crystal chandeliers, which have come to be called “sputniks” for their space-age starburst design, are among the most popular features of the theater.

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