perihelion
noun
peri·he·lion
ˌper-ə-ˈhēl-yən 
plural perihelia
ˌper-ə-ˈhēl-yə
: the point nearest to the sun in the path of an orbiting celestial body (such as a planet) compare aphelion
Examples of perihelion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During the probe's Dec. 24 close approach, known as perihelion, NASA mission control will be unable to contact Parker for some three days.
—
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
The comet Lovejoy, which reached its perihelion in Dec. 2011, remains the only Kreutz Path comet to have survived its brush with the sun.
—Max Hauptman, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
The comet successfully reached perihelion, its closest point to the sun in its orbital path around the parent star, on September 27, and was visible for those in the Southern Hemisphere in September and early October.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 9 Oct. 2024
Since its discovery, the comet has traveled toward the sun and has reached its perihelion – its closest orbital point to the sun – on Sept. 27.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perihelion 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
The comet Lovejoy, which reached its perihelion in Dec. 2011, remains the only Kreutz Path comet to have survived its brush with the sun.
—Max Hauptman, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
The comet successfully reached perihelion, its closest point to the sun in its orbital path around the parent star, on September 27, and was visible for those in the Southern Hemisphere in September and early October.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 9 Oct. 2024
Since its discovery, the comet has traveled toward the sun and has reached its perihelion – its closest orbital point to the sun – on Sept. 27.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perihelion
Dictionary Entries Near perihelion
Cite this Entry
“Perihelion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perihelion. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perihelion
noun
peri·he·lion
ˌper-ə-ˈhēl-yən
: the point in the path of a heavenly body (as a planet) that is nearest to the sun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share