noun
sputnik
SPUUT-nihk
noun
1
Any of the early Soviet artificial satellites, especially the first one launched in 1957.
"The launch of Sputnik in 1957 kicked off the space race."
2
By extension, any artificial satellite.
"Dozens of small sputniks now orbit the Earth."
How to Use Sputnik
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe name of the first artificial satellite, now sometimes used generically for any satellite.
Word Forms
sputniks plural
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Etymology
From Russian спутник (sputnik), literally "fellow traveller" or "satellite", from a root meaning "way" or "path."