# perihelion

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌpɛɹ.ɪˈhiː.lɪ.ən/ · frequency rank #77,080

## Definitions
1. The point in the elliptical orbit of a comet, planet, etc., where it is nearest to the Sun.
2. The highest point or state; the peak, zenith.

## Etymology
PIE word
 *sóh₂wl̥
From perihelium (“perihelion”) (obsolete) + -ion (suffix used for other names of apsides). Perihelium is borrowed from Late Latin perihelium, from Ancient Greek περι- (peri-, “around; surrounding”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“before, in front; first”)) + ἥλιος (hḗlios, “sun”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sóh₂wl̥ (“sun”)), which was modelled after perigeum (“point in an orbit about the Earth that is closest to the Earth, perigee”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/perihelion