Definition
A satellite is an object that moves around a larger body in space, such as a moon orbiting a planet. It can also be a human‑made device launched into orbit to send signals, take pictures, or collect data.
Etymology
From Latin *satelles, satellitis*, meaning 'attendant, bodyguard, follower'. The idea shifted to mean a smaller body that 'attends' a planet.
Kelly Says
Originally, *satellites* were human followers or bodyguards; now the word describes metal 'followers' circling Earth. The metaphor is so strong that we also talk about 'satellite towns' orbiting big cities. Language treats power centers—kings, planets, capitals—as things that naturally gather satellites.
Translations
AFAfrikaans
satelliet
sa-te-LEET
ARالعربية
قمر صناعي
qa-mar sa-naa-EE
BGБългарски
сателит
sa-te-LEET
CACatalà
satèl·lit
sa-TEL-lit
CSČeština
družice
DROO-zhi-tse
DADansk
satellit
sa-te-LEET
DEDeutsch
Satellit
za-te-LEET
ELΕλληνικά
δορυφόρος
do-ri-FO-ros
ESEspañol
satélite
sa-TE-li-te
ETEesti
satelliit
sa-tel-LIIT
EUEuskara
satelite
sa-te-LEE-te
FAفارسی
ماهواره
maah-vaa-re
FISuomi
satelliitti
sa-tel-LIIT-ti
FRFrançais
satellite
sa-te-LEET
GLGalego
satélite
sa-TE-li-te
HRHrvatski
satelit
sa-te-LEET
IDBahasa Indonesia
satelit
sa-te-LIT
ITItaliano
satellite
sa-TEL-li-te
LTLietuvių
palydovas
pa-ly-DO-vas
LVLatviešu
satelīts
sa-te-LEETS
MNМонгол
хиймэл дагуул
khiimel da-guul
MSBahasa Melayu
satelit
sa-te-LIT
MYမြန်မာ
ဂြိုဟ်တု
gyo-htu
NLNederlands
satelliet
sa-te-LEET
NONorsk
satellitt
sa-te-LEET
PLPolski
satelita
sa-te-LEE-ta
PTPortuguês
satélite
sa-TE-li-te
RORomână
satelit
sa-te-LEET
RUРусский
спутник
SPOOT-nik
SKSlovenčina
družica
DROO-zhi-tsa
SLSlovenščina
satelit
sa-te-LEET
SRСрпски
сателит
sa-te-LEET
SVSvenska
satellit
sa-te-LEET
SWKiswahili
satelaiti
sa-te-LAI-ti
TAதமிழ்
செயற்கைக்கோள்
sey-ar-kai-KOAL
TEతెలుగు
ఉపగ్రహం
u-pa-gra-HAM
THไทย
ดาวเทียม
daaw thiam
UKУкраїнська
супутник
soo-POOT-nyk
URاردو
مصنوعی سیارہ
mas-NOO-i say-aa-ra
VITiếng Việt
vệ tinh
ve tinh