# trajectory

> English word · Noun · IPA /tɹəˈd͡ʒɛktəɹi/ · frequency rank #12,878

## Definitions
1. The path an object takes as it moves.
2. The path of a body as it travels through space.
3. The ordered set of intermediate states assumed by a dynamical system as a result of time evolution.
4. A course of development, such as that of a war or career.

## Etymology
From New Latin trāiectōria f (“trajectory”) (used by Newton), the feminine of trāiectōrius (“of or pertaining to throwing across”), from Latin trāiectus (“thrown over or across”), past participle of trāiciō, from trans- (“across, beyond”) (see trans-) + iaciō (“to throw”) (from Proto-Indo-European *(H)yeh₁- (“to throw, impel”)). Middle French and Middle English had trajectorie (“end of a funnel”), from Latin trāiectōrium.

## Common misspellings (16)
`rtajectory`, `tarjectory`, `traejctory`, `trajcetory`, `trajecctory`, `trajecotry`, `trajectorry`, `trajectoryy`, `trajectoyr`, `trajectroy`, `trajecttory`, `trajetcory`, `trajjectory`, `trjaectory`, `trrajectory`, `ttrajectory`

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