1. any of a series of Soviet artificial satellites launched beginning in 1957
Usage: historical
2. an artificial satellite in general
Usage: informal

Examples

• Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth.
• The launch of Sputnik shocked the American public in 1957.
• The Soviet Union’s Sputnik program marked the beginning of the space age.
• Scientists tracked the sputnik as it circled the globe.
• The beeping signals from Sputnik could be heard on radio receivers worldwide.
• Sputnik’s success led to increased funding for space programs in the United States.