Lagrangian point

noun

: any of five points at which a small object (such as a satellite) will be in gravitational equilibrium with and will move in a stable configuration with respect to two large bodies (such as the earth and the sun)

Word History

Etymology

Joseph L. Lagrange †1813 Italian-born geometer and astronomer in France + English -ian

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!