perigee

noun

peri·​gee ˈper-ə-(ˌ)jē 

: the point in the orbit of an object (such as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the earth

also : the point nearest a planet or a satellite (such as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it compare apogee

perigean

ˌper-ə-ˈjē-ən 

adjective

Examples of perigee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Supermoon refers to a full or a new moon rising near or while the moon reaches perigee, its closest distance to Earth in its orbit around the planet, according to NASA. —Kelly Tyko, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024

The moon also reached its closest point to the Earth—the perigee—earlier this week, causing a supermoon, which is 14% larger than the typical full moon. —Ty Roush, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

Along the lunar orbital path, the point of closest proximity is known as perigee, which is when the moon is, on average, 226,000 miles (363,300 kilometers) from Earth. —Gina Park and Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024

In general, a supermoon refers to a full moon within at least 90 percent of perigee. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from New Latin perigeum, from Greek perigeion, from neuter of perigeios near the earth, from peri- + gē earth

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

perigee

noun

peri·​gee ˈper-ə-jē 

: the point nearest a planet (as the earth) or other body (as a moon) reached by an object orbiting it compare apogee