a geometric surface, symmetrical about the three coordinate axes, whose plane sections are ellipses or circles. Standard equation: x2/a2 + y2/b2 + z2/c2 = 1, where ±a, ±b, ±c are the intercepts on the x-, y-, and z- axes
b.
a solid having this shape
the earth is an ellipsoid
Derived forms
ellipsoidal (ɪlɪpˈsɔɪdəl, ˌɛl-)
adjective
ellipsoid in American English
(ɛˈlɪpˌsɔɪd; ɪˈlɪpsɔɪd)
noun Geometry
1.
a solid formed by rotating an ellipse around either axis: its plane sections are all ellipses or circles