Trajectory
noun
Definition
1. The curved path an object follows as it moves through air or space.
2. The general direction or course that something like a career or situation follows over time.
2. The general direction or course that something like a career or situation follows over time.
Context Alive
The kids watched the firework shoot up into the dark sky. They followed its trajectory with wide eyes as it curved gracefully upward. Then it exploded into a shower of red and gold sparks. Everyone in the park cheered at once.
Meanings
2 meanings
1
The Curved Path of an Object Through Air or Space (Noun)
Very Common
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This meaning is about the physical path something follows as it moves through the air or space. Imagine watching a basketball player throw the ball from halfway across the court — you can see it rising, curving, and then dropping toward the hoop. That curved path is the trajectory of the ball. You might hear “the missile’s trajectory was tracked by radar,” or someone could say “the trajectory of the throw was perfect.” Or picture a stone skipping across water — each bounce sends it on a new trajectory before it finally sinks. The word suggests a path shaped by forces like gravity and speed. ✏️ Trajectory isn’t just a straight line — it almost always implies a curve or arc, which is what makes it different from simply saying “direction.”
Vivid ExampleThe outfielder studied the ball the moment it left the bat. He calculated the trajectory instantly and sprinted toward the back wall. His glove went up at the last second, and the crowd erupted as he made the catch.
2
The General Direction or Course of Development Over Time (Noun)
Very Common
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This meaning is about the direction something is heading over time — like a career, a company, or someone’s life. Imagine a young musician who starts playing small cafés, then gets noticed, releases an album, and suddenly fills concert halls. That whole journey from unknown to famous is her career trajectory. You might say “the company is on an upward trajectory,” or someone could mention “one bad decision changed the whole trajectory of his life.” Or think about a student who starts struggling in school but slowly improves year after year until they graduate top of their class. The word carries a sense of movement and direction — things are heading somewhere. ✏️ “Upward trajectory” and “downward trajectory” are very common expressions — they describe whether things are getting better or worse over time.
Vivid ExampleFive years ago, the startup was working out of a tiny garage with three employees. Now its growth trajectory has attracted investors from around the world. Everyone agrees the company is heading toward something big.
Examples from the Street
“Her career trajectory has been incredible — from intern to CEO in ten years.”
The path her professional life has taken has been remarkable
“The company is on an upward trajectory right now.”
The business is heading in a positive direction and growing
“If he stays on this trajectory, he’ll be in serious trouble.”
If he keeps going the way he’s going, things will end badly for him
Common Patterns
career/life trajectory → the overall path and direction of someone’s professional or personal development
on a(n) upward/downward trajectory → heading in a positive or negative direction
on a … trajectory → following a particular course of development
change/alter the trajectory of → shift the direction or course of how something develops
the trajectory of (something) → the overall path that something follows over time
stay on/follow this trajectory → continue moving in the same direction of development
the trajectory of the ball/bullet/missile → the curved path a moving object follows through the air
calculate/plot/track a trajectory → work out or follow the path of something in motion
a flight trajectory → the path an aircraft or projectile takes through the air
a steep/flat/curved trajectory → describing the angle or shape of a physical path
Collocations
3 collocationscareer trajectory
the path your professional life is taking
upward trajectory
a direction that keeps improving
change trajectory
alter the direction of progress
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
Her career trajectory changed completely when she decided to leave banking and retrain as a doctor
The entire direction of her professional life shifted when she chose to quit finance and study medicine instead.
2
The economy has been on a downward trajectory since the beginning of the year
The financial situation has been getting steadily worse since January.
3
One bad decision can change the trajectory of your entire life
A single poor choice can completely redirect the course of everything that follows.
4
If the team stays on this trajectory, they could win the league by March
If the squad keeps performing at this level and in this direction, they could take the title within a few months.
5
Scientists carefully calculated the trajectory of the asteroid to see if it posed any threat to Earth
Researchers precisely worked out the path the space rock would follow to determine whether it was heading towards our planet.
6
The country is on an upward trajectory — investment is pouring in and unemployment is falling
The nation is heading in a positive direction — money is flowing in and fewer people are out of work.
7
The bullet’s trajectory suggested it had been fired from the roof of the building opposite
The path the shot followed indicated it had come from the top of the structure across the street.
8
A single teacher can alter the trajectory of a young person’s life forever
Just one educator can permanently redirect the course a child’s future takes.
9
The drone followed a steep trajectory before levelling off at around 500 metres
The unmanned aircraft climbed at a sharp angle before flattening out at roughly half a kilometre up.
10
His life trajectory was shaped by growing up in poverty and fighting his way out of it
The overall path his existence took was defined by being raised with very little money and working hard to escape those circumstances.
Learner Examples
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Learning English early can change the trajectory of a student’s academic future by opening doors to international universities
Picking up the language at a young age can completely redirect a pupil’s educational path by giving them access to institutions around the world.
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Students who practise speaking daily are on an upward trajectory — their confidence grows faster than those who only study grammar
Learners who have conversations every day are heading in a strongly positive direction — they build self-assurance more quickly than those who focus only on rules and structure.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
0 items
Synonyms & Antonyms
4 items
Synonymspath
direction of movement
course
route taken
direction
way something is heading
arc
curved path