The Russian origins of the word 'sputnik'

'Sputnik' is a word borrowed from Russian 'sputnik'. The word entered the English language some time around 1957.

sputnik [noun] [1957]

Any of a series of earth-orbiting satellites launched by the Soviet Union beginning in 1957

See 'sputnik' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Russian.

Etymology: Russian, literally, traveling companion, from 's, so' with + 'put'' path

See more loan words from 1950s.