perihelion

[ per-uh-hee-lee-uh n, -heel-yuh n ]
/ ˌpɛr əˈhi li ən, -ˈhil yən /

noun, plural per·i·he·li·a [per-uh-hee-lee-uh, -heel-yuh] /ˌpɛr əˈhi li ə, -ˈhil yə/. Astronomy.

the point in the orbit of a planet or comet at which it is nearest to the sun.
Compare aphelion.

Origin of perihelion

1660–70; < Greek peri- peri- + hḗli(os) sun + -on neuter noun suffix, on the model of perigee; earlier in the New Latin form perihelium

OTHER WORDS FROM perihelion

per·i·he·li·al, per·i·he·li·an, adjective

Words nearby perihelion

perigon, perigonium, perigordian, perigynous, perigyny, perihelion, perihepatitis, perijejunitis, perikaryon, peril, peril point

Example sentences from the Web for perihelion

British Dictionary definitions for perihelion

perihelion
/ (ˌpɛrɪˈhiːlɪən) /

noun plural -lia (-lɪə)

the point in its orbit when a planet or comet is nearest the sun Compare aphelion

Word Origin for perihelion

C17: from New Latin perihēlium, from peri- + Greek hēlios sun

Scientific definitions for perihelion

perihelion
[ pĕr′ə-hē′lē-ən ]

The point at which an orbiting object, such as a planet or a comet, is closest to the Sun. Compare aphelion perigee.