Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "geostationary" [geostationary]

  • Of, relating to, or being a satellite that travels above Earth's equator from west to east at an altitude of approximately 35,900 kilometers (22,300 miles) and at a speed matching that of Earth's rotation, thus remaining stationary in relation to Earth. (adjective)
  • Of, relating to, or being the orbit of such a satellite. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "geostationary" in a sentence
  • "The idea is for satellites in geostationary orbit to collect the sun's energy and convert it into radio waves for transmission to surface stations, where it will be converted into electricity for local power grids."
  • "Or about Nova Caledonia, a lifeship suspended in geostationary orbit exactly 35,786 kilometers above Perth?"
  • "This means that it is no longer in geostationary orbit, and it starts to “fall” perceptibly toward the Earth."
Words like "geostationary"
fixed low-altitude
low-earth
low-orbit
thirty-hour
troposcatter
uranian
weather-control