meteorological satellite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Technical)Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “meteorological satellite” mean?
A man-made object placed in orbit around Earth specifically designed to observe and collect data about the atmosphere and weather patterns.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A man-made object placed in orbit around Earth specifically designed to observe and collect data about the atmosphere and weather patterns.
A space-based platform equipped with sensors (e.g., radiometers, sounders) for remote sensing of atmospheric conditions, cloud cover, temperature, humidity, and other meteorological phenomena, used for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental research.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; 'satellite' is universally used.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both, restricted to meteorological, scientific, and news contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “meteorological satellite” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] meteorological satellite [VERB] data.Data [VERB] by the meteorological satellite.[VERB] a meteorological satellite into orbit.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meteorological satellite” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The agency plans to meteorological satellite the region. (NOT STANDARD - No verb form)
American English
- They will satellite the atmosphere. (NOT STANDARD - No verb form)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form)
American English
- (No standard adverb form)
adjective
British English
- The meteorological-satellite data was crucial. (Compound adjective)
American English
- The meteorological satellite data was crucial. (Noun adjunct)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in industries like agriculture, logistics, or insurance where weather forecasts impact operations.
Academic
Common in earth sciences, atmospheric physics, and environmental studies papers.
Everyday
Very rare; might appear in news reports about weather events or space launches.
Technical
The primary register; used in engineering, meteorology, and space agency communications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meteorological satellite”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meteorological satellite”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meteorological satellite”
- Misspelling as 'meterological'. Using 'climate satellite' interchangeably (climate implies long-term data). Incorrect plural: 'meteorological satellites' (correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A meteorological satellite is designed for peaceful, scientific observation of weather and climate. A spy (or reconnaissance) satellite is designed for military or intelligence surveillance of ground activities.
No, they carry a variety of instruments like radiometers to measure heat radiation, sounders to profile atmospheric temperature and moisture, and scatterometers to measure wind speed over oceans.
It varies. Geostationary satellites orbit at about 35,786 km above the equator, staying over one region. Polar-orbiting satellites are much lower, typically around 800-850 km, providing global coverage.
Yes, many agencies like NOAA (USA) and EUMETSAT (Europe) provide free, near-real-time data and imagery from their meteorological satellites for public and scientific use.
A man-made object placed in orbit around Earth specifically designed to observe and collect data about the atmosphere and weather patterns.
Meteorological satellite is usually technical/formal in register.
Meteorological satellite: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmiːtɪərəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈsætəlaɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmiːtiərəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl ˈsætəlaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A watchful eye in the sky (related concept, not a direct idiom).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: METEORological = measures the atmosphere; SATellite = sits in space. It's a machine in space that measures the weather.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SENTINEL/SCOUT (it constantly watches and reports). A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL (it provides data for analysis).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a meteorological satellite?