trajectory
noun
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Formed with part of the prefix trans-, "across", trajectory means a "hurling across". By calculating the effect of gravity and other forces, the trajectory of an object launched into space at a known speed can be computed precisely. Missiles stand a chance of hitting their target only if their trajectory has been plotted accurately. The word is used most often in physics and engineering, but not always; we can also say, for example, that the trajectory of a whole life may be set in a person's youth, or that a new book traces the long trajectory of the French empire.
Examples of trajectory in a Sentence
Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
Her brother had a different trajectory, becoming a carpenter.
—Anemona Hartocollis, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for trajectory 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trajectory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Trajectory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trajectory. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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trajectory
noun
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