sputnik: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Historical / Technical
Quick answer
What does “sputnik” mean?
An artificial Earth satellite.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An artificial Earth satellite.
A pioneering or first-of-its-kind achievement, especially in technology or space exploration; often used metaphorically to denote a groundbreaking innovation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The metaphorical use ('Sputnik moment') is more prevalent in US political and policy discourse.
Connotations
In both, carries strong historical and Cold War connotations. In US context, often implies a challenge to be overcome.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech. Higher frequency in historical, scientific, and geopolitical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “sputnik” in a Sentence
[the] + sputnik + [of/for] (e.g., the sputnik of digital finance)[a] + sputnik + moment/era/successVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sputnik” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Sputnik programme had profound consequences.
- We are in a post-Sputnik world.
American English
- The Sputnik launch created a national crisis.
- It was a Sputnik-level event for the industry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The new AI model was the company's sputnik, propelling them ahead of competitors.'
Academic
Historical: 'The launch of Sputnik precipitated a crisis in American scientific education.'
Everyday
Rare, except in fixed historical reference: 'We learned about Sputnik in history class.'
Technical
Precise historical reference: 'Sputnik 1 was launched on 4 October 1957.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sputnik”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sputnik”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sputnik”
- Using 'sputnik' as a generic term for any satellite (incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'sputnick'.
- Using without the definite article 'the' when referring to the specific historical object (e.g., 'launch of Sputnik').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a proper noun referring specifically to the early Soviet satellites. The common word is 'satellite'.
It is a metaphor for a sudden, shocking event that serves as a wake-up call, galvanising a nation or organisation into competitive action, much like the original Sputnik launch did for the United States.
It is most commonly pronounced /ˈspʌtnɪk/ (SPUT-nik), though the pronunciation /ˈspʊtnɪk/ (SPOOT-nik) is also heard.
Yes, but rarely. The plural is 'Sputniks', used when referring to multiple satellites in the series (e.g., Sputnik 1, 2, and 3).
An artificial Earth satellite.
Sputnik is usually formal / historical / technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sputnik moment”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SPUTnik SPUn a new era: the first satellite SPUn around the Earth, kickstarting the space race.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FIRST/INITIAL EVENT IS A LAUNCHING PAD (for subsequent developments).
Practice
Quiz
In modern English, 'a Sputnik moment' best describes: