ˈspu̇tnik, -pət-, -püt-, -_nēk also -ˌnik; sometimes -pu̇t(ˌ)nyik or -püt(ˌ)nyik noun
( -s )
Usage: sometimes capitalized
Etymology: Russian, traveling companion, satellite, from s, so with + put' path + -nik, suffix denoting a person engaged in or connected with something specified; akin to Old Slavic sǔ with, samǔ same, Sanskrit sama equal, same, and to Sanskrit patha way, path, course — more at same , find
: satellite 2b
first into space with a sputnik — Newsweek
successes in science, sputniks, and rocketry — New York Times