satellite

Everyday

1. A satellite is a machine sent into space to travel around the Earth or another planet, used for communication, weather, maps or science. tree →
2. A satellite is any natural object that travels around a planet; the Moon is Earth's natural satellite. tree →
3. Satellite (before a noun) means using satellites: satellite TV, satellite photo. tree →

In the lessons

Science (space): satellites orbit Earth, pulled by gravity; the Moon is a natural satellite. Everyday life: satellite navigation (satnav, GPS), weather forecasts, TV and phone signals depend on satellites. Geography: satellite images show cities, forests and storms from above. Phrases: weather satellite, satellite dish, satellite image, natural satellite.

Examples

• The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. tree →
• Weather satellites take pictures of clouds. tree →
• Satnav uses satellites to find where we are. tree →
• Jupiter has many moons, which are its satellites. tree →
• We looked at a satellite photo of our school. tree →
• There's a satellite dish on our roof. tree →
• You can sometimes see a satellite moving across the night sky. tree →

Note

Countable. Spelling: sa-tel-lite — one t, double l, then te. A satellite is not a star: it shines only by reflecting sunlight. «Satellite» does not mean only man-made machines; moons are satellites too.