aphelion

[ uh-fee-lee-uh n, uh-feel-yuh n, ap-hee-lee-uh n ]
/ əˈfi li ən, əˈfil yən, æpˈhi li ən /

noun, plural a·phe·li·a [uh-fee-lee-uh, uh-feel-yuh, ap-hee-lee-uh] /əˈfi li ə, əˈfil yə, æpˈhi li ə/.

Astronomy. the point in the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is farthest from the sun.
Compare perihelion.

Origin of aphelion

1650–60; Hellenized form of New Latin aphēlium < Greek *aphḗlion ( diástēma) off-sun (distance), neuter of *aphḗlios (adj.), equivalent to ap- ap-2 + hḗli(os) sun + -os adj. suffix. See apogee

OTHER WORDS FROM aphelion

a·phe·li·an, adjective

Words nearby aphelion

aphanitic, aphasia, aphasic, aphasiology, aphelandra, aphelion, apheliotropic, apheliotropism, aphemia, apheresis, aphesis

Example sentences from the Web for aphelion

British Dictionary definitions for aphelion

aphelion
/ (æpˈhiːlɪən, əˈfiː-) /

noun plural -lia (-lɪə)

the point in its orbit when a planet or comet is at its greatest distance from the sun Compare perihelion

Derived forms of aphelion

aphelian, adjective

Word Origin for aphelion

C17: from New Latin aphēlium (with pseudo-Greek ending -ion) from ap- + Greek hēlios sun

Scientific definitions for aphelion

aphelion
[ ə-fē′lē-ən ]

The point at which an orbiting body, such as a planet or comet, is farthest away from the Sun. Compare apogee perihelion.