an artificial satellite used to relay radio, television, and telephone signals around the earth, usually in geostationary orbit
communications satellite in American English
noun
an artificial earth satellite that facilitates communications, as radio, television, and telephone transmissions, by means of the reflection or the amplification and retransmission of signals between stations on earth or in space
Word origin
[1960–65]This word is first recorded in the period 1960–65. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: buyback, go-go, parvovirus, pop art, tag question
Examples of 'communications satellite' in a sentence
communications satellite
The company launched the first domestic commercial communications satellite in geostationary orbit in 1972.
Globe and Mail (2004)
The rocket was carrying a 20 million communications satellite.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Its creators insist it is nothing more sinister than a vehicle for putting a harmless communications satellite into space.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Communications satellites are located 22,300 miles above the equator.