trajectory

[ truh-jek-tuh-ree ]
See synonyms for trajectory on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural tra·jec·to·ries.
  1. the curve described by a projectile, rocket, or the like in its flight.

  2. Geometry. a curve or surface that cuts all the curves or surfaces of a given system at a constant angle.

Origin of trajectory

1
First recorded in 1660–70; from New Latin trājectōria, noun use of feminine of Medieval Latin trājectōrius “casting over”; equivalent to traject + -tory1

Other words from trajectory

  • tra·jec·tile [truh-jek-til, -tahyl], /trəˈdʒɛk tɪl, -taɪl/, adjective
  • tra·jec·tion [truh-jek-shuhn], /trəˈdʒɛk ʃən/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for trajectory

trajectory

/ (trəˈdʒɛktərɪ, -trɪ) /


nounplural -ries
  1. the path described by an object moving in air or space under the influence of such forces as thrust, wind resistance, and gravity, esp the curved path of a projectile

  2. geometry a curve that cuts a family of curves or surfaces at a constant angle

Derived forms of trajectory

  • trajectile (trəˈdʒɛktaɪl), adjective

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 trajectory

trajectory

[ trə-jĕktə-rē ]


  1. Physics The line or curve described by an object moving through space.

  2. Mathematics A curve or surface that passes through a given set of points or intersects a given series of curves or surfaces at a constant angle.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.