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
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
A day at Wimbledon often means dinner at 1 a.m. and waking up seven hours later, and all the while, Riddle contends with preconceptions about being the partner of a sports star — especially one on an upward trajectory.
—Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Homicides have been on a steady downward trajectory since 2021, when total killings eclipsed 400 amid the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
Some large-scale digital ad sellers, for example Meta and YouTube, have managed to remain on a steady growth trajectory.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for trajectory
Cite this Entry
“Trajectory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trajectory. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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trajectory
noun
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